Royal British Legion Industries Welcomes BAE Systems and Barratt Redrow as Co-sponsors of The Great Tommy Sleep Out

Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) is proud to announce that BAE Systems and Barratt Redrow will be co-sponsors of the charity’s national award-winning fundraising campaign, The Great Tommy Sleep Out, in 2025.

A dedicated community of 7,251 people slept outside for one night or more across the UK in 2024 to raise vital funds and awareness for homeless veterans, with their collective efforts raising an incredible £1.2 million for RBLI’s flagship fundraising challenge. With even more ambitious plans for 2025, the charity is delighted to welcome BAE Systems (Britain’s largest defence contractor) and Barratt Redrow (Britain’s leading housebuilder) onboard to support RBLI’s ongoing mission to tackle veteran homelessness.

Both BAE Systems and Barratt Redrow have generously given £75,000 to the event, helping boost fundraising but also raising awareness about the urgent need for veteran housing across the UK. Support on this scale will make a life-changing impact on the lives of our nation’s heroes with money raised from sleeping out providing veterans with safe homes, mental health support, and a pathway to stable employment and independent living.

RBLI’s Chief Executive Lisa Farmer, expressed her gratitude: “BAE Systems and Barratt Redrow’s co-sponsorship will really help the impact we can make through The Great Tommy Sleep Out and our wider efforts to support homeless veterans. Their support demonstrates a powerful commitment to those who have served our country, helping us provide life-changing services to veterans in need.”

Gabby Costigan, BAE Systems’ Group Managing Director, Business Development and an Australian Army veteran, said: “Our Armed Forces make sacrifices every day to keep us safe, but sadly thousands of veterans lack even a safe place to sleep. We owe a great deal to those who have served their country and I hope our continued sponsorship will help raise awareness and vital funds to give more veterans the support they need.”

BAE Systems, a long-term partner of RBLI and previous sponsor of The Great Tommy Sleep Out, has a proud history of supporting Britain’s Armed Forces and, by sponsoring once more, they demonstrate their continued commitment to veterans’ welfare.

Barratt Redrow is equally excited to be a part of this campaign Chief Executive, David Thomas, said: “The Great Tommy Sleep Out is RBLI’s biggest and most important fundraising initiative, which is why we wanted to support it. It is great to be working together with BAE

Systems and RBLI to get as many people as possible to take part, raising vital funds for homeless veterans.”

Barratt Redrow, a committed corporate partner of RBLI and a leader in the housing sector, shares RBLI’s belief that everyone deserves a home, especially those who have served the nation.

To find out more about RBLI’s The Great Tommy Sleep Out and how you can take part click here.