The Big PNE Sleep Out is drawing closer and as temperatures fall we’ve spoken to a number of Preston firms preparing to take part.

More than 300 people are signed up to take part in the event, the first to take place at Deepdale.

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Hosted by Preston North End, in partnership with Biffa and Blog Preston, the Big PNE Sleep Out aims to raise £50,000 for The Foxton Centre.

The funding goes towards the charity’s Housing First scheme which puts a roof over the heads of rough sleepers in the city.

Among those bedding down are a number of Preston businesses.

The Greater Lancashire Hospital, based at Bluebell Way, has entered a team to sleep out.

Business development manager Caroline Lane said: “Being a Preston based family run business, we have decided to try to raise funds to support the Foxton centre as it’s a great cause for a local Preston charity at the heart of our community.

“It’s always good to be pushed out of your comfort zone to make you realise how fortunate you are and I think the Big Sleep Out will certainly do that.”

You can donate to support the Greater Lancashire Hospital team on their Totalgiving page.

Another firm taking part is AMT Lawyers who will be represented by Nadeem Ashfaq who also runs Preston-based charity The Light Foundation.

Nadeem said: “As a founder of the Light Foundation’s ‘Street Kitchen’ project, that attempts to serve Preston’s Homeless community, it made absolute sense to get involved and support the Foxton centre in this much needed and lasting project.

“The valuable and pioneering work the Foxton centre does in Preston, and has done for decades, was in fact an inspiration for us, as we began to start our activities helping the homeless. I am deeply grateful to the charitable and kind AMT lawyers for supporting me on this.”

Managing director of AMT Lawyers Asjad Hussain said: “As a practice, we signed up to the Sleep Out as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility which is an integral part of the firm ethos and one of the key pillars the company is built upon.

“Furthermore, the particular cause attached to the Sleep Out in regards to helping the homeless is extremely worthy, as being part of the more fortunate, helping the less fortunate is very important to us.”

You can donate to support the AMT Lawyers team on their donation page.

Read more: PNE striker Louis Moult will make an appearance at the Sleep Out

And football fans Charter Financial Planning are also joining the Sleep Out.

Lisa Philipson, Claire Egan and Sue Counsell are season ticket holders of Preston North End, Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers respectively, but are putting their allegiances to one side in the name of charity.

Sue said: “Claire saw the event advertised and thought it would be a great opportunity to raise funds for the Foxton Centre and to help raise awareness of the increasing number of people who find themselves sleeping on the streets in Preston, and across Lancashire and the UK
generally,”

Claire said: “Charter has supported the Foxton Centre for a number of years both as a business and individually, especially during the Christmas Appeal. 

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“We are pleased to be involved with this event particularly as it’s the Foxton Centre’s 50th anniversary – £50,000 is an apt sum to raise.”

As a Preston-based business, Sue agreed that it was of great importance for Charter Financial Planning to be taking part in a local charity fundraiser.

She said: “Lisa and Claire both live and work in Preston and while I’m from Blackburn, I have worked with Barry and Deborah – fellow business owners – in Preston since 1982.  We were based originally in Winckley Square and since 2013 have been at Preston Docks.  We are almost as longstanding in Preston as the Foxton Centre.

“We’re all a bit nervous but also looking forward to being involved.  We’re happy that we’ve exceeded our £500 fundraising target and hopeful that we may be able to double it.  I think above all, we’re thankful that we only have to ‘survive’ for one night, unlike too many people who have to endure it on a regular basis.”

You can donate to the Charter team’s efforts on their Totalgiving page.

Read more: Military veterans to give back to the city as they take part in the Big PNE Sleep Out

More than £20,000 has been raised so far for the Big PNE Sleep Out and you can add your donations here.