Thank you!

Throughout the country, and overseas, over 4000 participants signed up to take part in Royal British Legion Industries’ ‘The Great Tommy Sleep Out’ braving the cold and wet during the month of March.

This challenge was designed to raise awareness and make us think about those that are homeless, especially at this time of year. Together we raised crucial funds to support homeless veterans during the corona virus pandemic; an estimated 6000 military veterans currently live on the streets of the UK.

Our brave supporters including cadets, scouts and Fire & Rescue Services and military groups have already raised over £205,000 which is an amazing achievement! Every penny raised by the campaign will go directly to RBLI’s wide range of services providing home, welfare and employment support to military veterans.

We have been astounded by the passion and camaraderie that our ‘Tommy Sleepers’ have shown throughout the challenge. Creating shelters and really pushing engagement and awareness.

Some, including such as Paul Biggins and Rob Yuill, slept out for the whole month. David Whithorn even slept out in original WW1 kit.

Young Army cadets from Sussex ACF stepped up to the challenge as a group and put their skills to great use, raising over £4,000!

We must also give a big thank you to the ‘Fantastic Fifteen’ who joined RBLI’s CEO, Brigadier Steve Sherry to sleep out. The team included CEOs and Managing Directors from some of the UK’s biggest corporations including Manpower Group, General Dynamics, Shepherd Neame Thomson Snell and Passmore plus our very own Founding Patron, Barratt Developments.

Their combined efforts raised almost £25,000 – incredible work!

Friends Steven Foster and Mat Harris from the Kent and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service sleep out for three nights with only a sleeping bag and no essentials unless donated to them! David Whithorn slept out for the whole month in original WW1 kit. He said, “It has been an absolute privilege to be part of this campaign and to share our photographs, experiences and stories.”

The achievements in this challenge of our Cadets, Adult Volunteers and their families has been phenomenal. We’re proud to have raised awareness and funds for a charity that aligns so closely to our own ethos – setting up people with the skills they need for life-long success.

Sussex Army Cadets

David Whithorn slept out for the whole month in original WW1 kit. He said, “It has been an absolute privilege to be part of this campaign and to share our photographs, experiences and stories.”

THE TOMMY CLUB COMMUNITY SHINES THROUGH

We can’t thank you all enough for your perseverance, enthusiasm and comradeship. It has been absolute pleasure for the team to work with such wonderful people. Because we raised so much more than we could ever imagine, we have been able to not only continue providing our current services for homeless veterans, but complete a brand new series of works. We are now able to update our emergency accommodation kitchens and living areas, plus provide more facilities than ever, including new gym equipment.

DID YOU LAST THE NIGHT...? Share your adventures and meet other Tommy Club members in our Exclusive Facebook community. facebook.com/groups/tommyclub