Sleepout at Stadium MK smashes fundraising goal for homeless charities

A sleepout held at Stadium MK smashed its fundraising target in aid of several Milton Keynes charities.

Hosted by MK Dons Community Trust, the official charity of League Two club MK Dons, the CEO Sleepout event had a fundraising goal of £30,000.

However, through the generous support of more than 1,300 donors, the event has raised £46,700 and counting for those experiencing homelessness.

Money raised will be split between various charities which support the homeless, including The Shelter MK, Unity MK, and YMCA Milton Keynes, and the MK Dons Community Trust.

Funds will help provide temporary accommodation for those who are most in need, plus basic necessities such as warm clothing, food and shelter in a secure environment.

The sleepout event ran from 8pm until 6am from Thursday evening through until Friday morning.

Paul Clark, Chair of MK Dons Community Trust, was among those who participated.

He said: “First of all, I’d like to issue a big thank you to all those who took part and made the CEO Sleepout at Stadium MK such a resounding success.

“This was a huge team effort and I’m incredibly proud of what the charity has achieved by everyone pulling together and going the extra mile.

“The level of support from the wider Milton Keynes community was simply phenomenal, and it was fantastic to see so many people doing their bit at the stadium.

“To smash our fundraising target in the manner which we did reflects both the immense work behind the scenes and the wonderful generosity of the community.

“It just goes to show what can be achieved by harnessing the power of football.”

The CEO Sleepout was a community effort, exemplified by pupils from Glebe Farm School in Wavendon decorating cardboard beds which were then used by people taking part on the night.

The event was supported by MK College and was open to all people, including groups of friends and colleagues, plus families.

Research by housing charity Shelter found that 2,156 people in Milton Keynes were estimated to be homeless at the end of December 2023.

Of these, 35 were sleeping rough, with the remaining 2,121 people – including 1,013 children – living in temporary accommodation.

Across England, one in 182 people is estimated to be homeless. In Milton Keynes, this figure is one in 133.

Jane Madden, Event Coordinator at CEO Sleepout, said: “A huge thank you and well done to everyone who supported the CEO Sleepout at Stadium MK.

“The support from MK Dons Community Trust saw a fantastic amount of money raised for some very worthy causes.

“The raising and spreading of awareness of such a key issue within our society was just as important too.

“Through events such as the one held at Stadium MK, we deliver key messages and help change the lives of those facing hardship and homelessness.”

Those wishing to make last minute donations in support of this year’s CEO Sleepout at Stadium MK can do so by visiting www.ceosleepout.co.uk/milton-keynes/.