Newcastle United Foundation Trustee Shola Ameobi is calling on the North East business community to join him in "doing all we can" to tackle homelessness and displacement in the region.

Ameobi is taking on the CEO Sleepout Newcastle challenge in March, exchanging comfort and warmth to spend one night sleeping on the concrete stands of St. James' Park.

Alongside entrepreneurs, business leaders and managing directors, Newcastle United hero Ameobi hopes to help raise a record-breaking half a million pounds to support vulnerable people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, addictions, or long-term unemployment.

The event is the first sleepout to take place at St. James' Park since the coronavirus crisis began - a period in which North East-based charity Changing Lives has reported a 31 percent increase in the number of people accessing their Housing and Homelessness services between April 2020 and March 2021 compared to the previous year, before the pandemic began.

"The thought of anyone not having a roof over their head or a bed to sleep in, especially over the wintertime is horrible and a huge problem. It's so important we do what we can to help those people - if it's providing them a safe place to sleep or if it's offering the support they need during difficult times."

He added: "It's important to raise awareness about homelessness, but I think it's great to be part of an action that is trying to create change like the CEO Sleepout, so I'm more than happy to be part of the event."

Running overnight on Thursday, March 24, 2022, from 8pm until 6.30am, temperatures are expected to hover around freezing. But the foundation anticipates dozens of executives will be braving the cold for North East charities working to reduce poverty.

Spaces are now available to get involved with CEO Sleepout Newcastle with fundraisers encouraged to raise £1,000 for the cause.

And since 2014, CEO Sleepout events in Newcastle have raised £387,686 to support organisations providing guidance to people in crisis who face eviction from accommodation or who are at risk of losing their homes.

Ameobi added: "It's important that leaders and employers who help influence and shape the North East take part in the sleepout - we know this helps keep homelessness in the conversation and means more support can be given to those who need it.

Funds raised during the sponsored sleepout will be split between Newcastle United Foundation, Changing Lives, and CEO Sleepout. The trio of charities are looking for at least 100 individuals to join the challenge.

The Foundation will use donations to support employability projects like its Street Football programme - free weekly sessions using sport to engage vulnerable young people and adults who may be facing homelessness or unemployment, recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, or dealing with mental health issues.

Ameobi said: "We all enjoy the comforts of our own homes, but no one should have to suffer homelessness today and for me, we all need to look outside of ourselves and notice the issues around us.

"We can see homelessness is a big problem and that's the one reason why we should be fundraising and raising awareness in any way we can to combat it."

To sign up to the CEO Sleepout Newcastle, email gemma.riley@nufc.co.uk

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