RBLI Wins Fundraising Campaign of the Year at Third Sector Awards

Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) is proud to announce that it’s The Great Tommy Sleep Out 2024 has won the prestigious Fundraising Campaign of the Year Award at the Third Sector Awards. This campaign, which raises awareness of the homelessness crisis among veterans, secured vital funds for RBLI’s life-saving services, exceeding all expectations, both in participation numbers and funds raised.

The Great Tommy Sleep Out, managed entirely by RBLI’s committed in-house team, raised over £1.2 million – smashing the original £500,000 target. The Great Tommy Sleep Out saw more than 7,000 supporters of all ages, from four to 84, sleep under the stars in March 2024. This represents a more than 100% increase in both the numbers of people sleeping out and funds raised for The Great Tommy Sleep Out since 2023.

For The Great Tommy Sleep Out 2024, they slept in their gardens, in shop doorways outside their workplaces, and public spaces. People from as far away as Antarctica slept outside in solidarity with the UK’s homeless veterans. Without a tent or just under a simple shelter, these supporters helped shine a light on the urgent need for housing and welfare support for vulnerable veterans.

The much-sought-after campaign-branded beanie hats were produced by RBLI’s own social enterprise that provides vital employment to veterans and people with disabilities. Each person who slept out received a The Great Tommy Sleep Out beanie hat. If you lined all the beanies up together, they would measure one mile – that’s the equivalent of walking from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey then on to the House of Commons.

The £1.2 million funds raised will allow RBLI to continue its mission to provide homes, employment, and welfare support for veterans who have faced unimaginable hardships, transforming lives across the UK.

Lisa Farmer, Chief Executive of RBLI, said: “We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to receive this award. The Great Tommy Sleep Out 2024 was more than just a fundraiser—it was a movement. To see thousands of people, from families and scouts to cadets and corporate teams, rallying to support veterans in need was truly inspiring. This campaign not only exceeded our financial goals, but it has also deepened the connection between our supporters and the veterans we serve. The funds raised will change and even save lives, helping us to continue providing vital homes, jobs, and welfare support to those who have served our country and now find themselves in unthinkable circumstances.”