Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity leaders take part in CEO Sleepout
City leadership team swop their beds for sleeping bags for one night to raise funds and awareness in the fight against homelessness
Last night, 3 November 2025, senior figures from the Greater Manchester business world joined forces to support the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity at the Manchester CEO Sleepout, spending one night sleeping outside at Emirates Old Trafford to raise funds and show solidarity with people across the city-region facing or experiencing homelessness.
The team - made up of Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity supporters, board members, ambassadors and the CEO of the charity - included:
Dr Fran Darlington-Pollock, CEO, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity
Laura Brogden, Partner, FACT3
Guillaume Chanussot, CEO, Transdev plc
Jane Forbes, CEO, Uniac
Tim Heatley, Co-Founder, Capital & Centric
Lori Hoinkes, CEO, Manchester Central
Clare Sweeney, Founder, Keepace Consults
Together they raised over £6,000 to support Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity’s flagship scheme, A Bed Every Night, providing emergency accommodation and vital wrap around support for people experiencing rough sleeping across the region.
CEO Sleepout brings together business and community leaders from across the UK to spend one night sleeping outdoors, raising vital funds and awareness for local homelessness charities.
Ahead of the event, Dr Fran Darlington-Pollock, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, said: “None of us who are sleeping out tonight are under the illusion that one night can replicate the trauma of homelessness, but we know that actions like this can spark conversations, raise funds and send a powerful message: homelessness has no place around here in Greater Manchester.
I’m proud to be standing alongside colleagues and peers who share our commitment to tackling this issue head on, not just with words, but with action.”
The donations raised through this year’s CEO Sleepout are an important part of Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity’s fundraising to support A Bed Every Night, providing a much-needed boost as we head into the colder months.
You can make a donation here: Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity | Donate Now
