On Thursday 3 March Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive John Lawlor and Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance James Duncan will join others from across the North East for a night spent sleeping outdoors on the pitch at St James’ Park in Newcastle as part of ‘CEO Sleepout 2016’.

CEO Sleepout is a national charity set up to fight homelessness and poverty. The campaign is funded with money raised by executives who sleep outdoors for one night to raise sponsorship from their business contacts and friends.

John explains: “The CEO Sleepout campaign against poverty and homelessness is a great cause which we are proud to support.

"A report by Crisis, the national charity for homeless people, suggests that the prevalence of common mental health problems is over twice as high amongst the homeless population compared to the general population.

“It is therefore very important for us, as the region’s mental health care provider, to highlight the care that is available to the homeless from organisations such as NTW while at the same time fundraising to help the good causes which also support them.”

Funds raised on the night will support a range of local charities that tackle homelessness issues, including our partner charities Changing Lives and Newcastle United Foundation. Funds will also be donated to Newcastle Food Bank and other charities supporting essential homeless services in the city.