Business leaders back The Chairman’s Sleep Out and raise record amount for RBLI’s work with homeless veterans

Eighty business leaders spent a night under the stars at the Kent Showground in Detling as they gave their support to RBLI’s work with homeless veterans.

Hosted on Thursday 27 March by Steve Rowbotham, Chairman of Royal British Legion Industries, the event has raised more than £80,000 for the cause, thereby setting a record.

Now in its sixth year, The Chairman’s Sleep Out has grown from humble beginnings in 2020 – when Steve and a handful of colleagues launched the initiative by sleeping out in their back gardens during Covid lockdown – to the major fundraising event it is today.

It forms part of The Great Tommy Sleep Out, the national campaign in which participants spend a night or more in March sleeping outside to raise funds for, and awareness of, those men and women who have served their country but later in life find themselves without a home.

For the first time, The Chairman’s Sleep Out took place at the Kent Showground, with senior leaders from the business world staying overnight in and around First World War trenches created by The Centre for Experimental Military Archaeology (CEMA). The trenches have featured in several historical films and documentaries, and participants had the opportunity to take an immersive tour of them during the evening’s activities.

“The Great Tommy Sleep Out is a time when we send a message of unity to those who have served our nation,” Steve Rowbotham said.

“While I am delighted with the amount we raised, of equal importance is that we are shining a light on the national issue of veteran homelessness, and playing our part in giving something back to veterans at their time of greatest need.”

All funds raised will support RBLI’s mission to transform lives across the UK, providing homes, employment and welfare support for some of the country’s most vulnerable veterans.

During the evening, CEOs, Managing Directors and other business leaders were tasked with building their own shelters; competed in teams to construct a sandbag defence wall; heard talks from veterans about RBLI’s life-changing assistance, and took part in a fundraising ‘power hour’. The event was sponsored by BAE Systems and Barratt Redrow.

Chris Chambers, Production Technician Team Leader at BAE Systems in Rochester, and an RAF veteran, said: “I’m incredibly proud to support our veterans in need. I know how hard it can be to leave our Armed Forces, and the difficulties many can face as they try to rebuild their lives.

“Spending one night without my home comforts was a small price to pay to raise money for The Great Tommy Sleep Out, and it’s been inspiring to see so many people taking part, from all over the country, in the national campaign.”

William Walsh, Managing Director for Barratt David Wilson Kent, added: “The Great Tommy Sleep Out is an amazing campaign by RBLI, raising much-needed funds to tackle veteran homelessness. It’s an honour to be one of the lead sponsors, with the whole of our company getting behind it. One night in the cold pales into insignificance to what others go through, but it is great to be helping such a deserving cause.”

The Great Tommy Sleep Out 2025 has seen more than 12,000 people taking part across the country, and has raised more than £1 million to date.