From Circuit Boards to life on the street
Published on: 6th November 2015
Published on: 6th November 2015
High flying instrument engineers will swap their circuit boards for sleeping bags when they take part in the fifth Big Tees Sleepout on November 13.
Twelve of the team from Stokesley firm Applied Integration will sleep rough for the night to raise funds to fight homelessness and poverty across Teesside.
More than 100 hardy souls have signed up for the event including staff from Biffa Waste Management Services, Nando’s, local charity Lifeline and teachers from St Bede’s RC Academy.
Applied Integration director Graham King will join the graduate engineers in giving up the comfort of their own beds for a night in the cold as part of the latest fundraising event organised by charitable movement Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.
Graham, whose fellow director Lee Raywood raised £500 for the charity when taking part in this year’s Great North Run, said: “As a business, we’re passionate about our local area and see the Big Tees Sleepout as the perfect way to give something back to the community.
“It’s fantastic that so many of our staff feel the same way.
“We don’t really know what to expect but we’re hoping it will be a fun and unique way to generate money towards an excellent cause.
“No doubt it will also open our eyes a little towards the real hardship of a life on the streets.
Those joining Graham on the sleepout are Jordan Wales, Sam Martin, Joe Pearce, Paul Phenix, Craig McEvoy, Conner Harvey, Calvin Campbell, Phil White, Garry Hunton, Keith Steel and John Hall.
Biffa will be handing out 100 beanie hats to help keep their fellow fundraisers warm through the night.
Joining depot manager Peter Ryall in the Biffa sleepout team are Paul Casey, Nick Rushton, Lee Roxby, Chris Daniel, Dave Sibley, Dave Lonsdale and Gary Wilkinson.
Since holding the first sleepout in March 2013, similar events organised by the Philanthropic Foundation have raised a combined total of £67,000.
Hardy souls should bring along sleeping bags and mats, whilst wrapping up warm. Access to hot drinks and toilets will be provided. The event takes place outside Middlesbrough College.
