Last year, almost 1,300 professionals took part from 108 companies across the country, including Birmingham, in the biggest ever property SleepOut. In Birmingham, over 130 people braved the elements.
The event collectively raised more than £600,000, up from under £295,000 just five years prior. Birmingham participants raised nearly £60,000 of this total figure.
Now in its sixth year, the LandAid SleepOut is back on 7 March 2024, with the aim of increasing industry participation even further to create the biggest impact yet and raise more funds to support young people who do not have a safe, warm, and affordable place to call home.
Funds raised at each SleepOut event stay local, supporting a youth homelessness charity in the surrounding community.
Paul Morrish, Chief Executive, LandAid, said: “As ESG considerations have rocketed up the agenda of board rooms across the country LandAid’s mission has been a beneficiary – attracting steadily growing numbers from all parts of the industry to events across the UK, and the multi-city annual SleepOut is no exception. The property industry is making huge strides in creating positive social impact and ensuring community and charity gain from the investments being made in real estate by their organisations and this has driven us to set an even bigger fundraising target for 2024.”
With this social value context and with that ambitious goal of raising over £750,000, LandAid are calling on property professionals to wake up to homelessness by signing up to the challenge in one of 7 locations across the UK, including Birmingham which will take place this year at The Bond, Fazeley Street. Not forgetting that you can also take part virtually by Sleeping Out At Home.
Wide support has already been shown across the property and wider built environment industry. From Birmingham regional sponsor, Prologis, and headline sponsor, Knight Frank, alongside other supporters across the country.
In 2022-23 nearly 136,000 young people presented as homeless across the UK. The West Midlands saw a 2.11% rise. As the cost-of-living crisis continues, this figure is undoubtedly increasing even further with young vulnerable people struggling to cover the costs of a tenancy alongside paying for the essentials like heating and food.
Each participant will be asked to raise over £206. This could help fund a safe place to sleep for a young person for six weeks.
Every penny raised will take LandAid one step closer towards its mission of ending youth homelessness, giving young people the structure and support they need to build a brighter future.
Paul Weston, Prologis UK Regional Head, said: “Prologis are delighted to be sponsoring the Birmingham SleepOut event for LandAid, the charity’s main fund and awareness raising activity. The team are excited to be stepping up to the challenge and will be joining hundreds of property professionals to support LandAid’s ambition to end youth homelessness on 7 March. Together, we can create a positive impact and break the cycle of homelessness for many thousands of people.”
Paul Morrish, Chief Executive, LandAid, said: “It is very special that we are now in our sixth year of getting property professionals together for our annual SleepOut. Each year I have seen this event grow and grow. I am so proud. It is brilliant to see more property partners come on board to work together to end youth homelessness. I have no doubt that with this continued growth in support we will make the 2024 LandAid SleepOut the biggest yet!”
Register for the LandAid SleepOut 2024 here: https://bit.ly/3TlTN3W