Communities across the UK are coming together in March for The Great Tommy Sleep Out, a national fundraising event organised by Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI).
Throughout the month, people up and down the country will be sleeping outdoors for one night or more as they raise money for the charity’s vital, life-changing work with homeless veterans.
In recognition of its impact and ambition, The Great Tommy Sleep Out, which raised £1.2 million in 2024, was named Fundraising Campaign of the Year at the Third Sector Awards. With the support of sponsors BAE Systems and Barratt Redrow, the charity is encouraging more people than ever to take part and hopes this year’s event will be its biggest and best yet.
Fundraisers – including families, friends, companies and community groups – will be sleeping out in tents, temporary shelters or simply under the stars. The Great Tommy Sleep Out is all about ‘having a go’: joining in, supporting others and raising funds for the campaign. There is even an international dimension, with people from as far away as Antarctica sleeping outside to show solidarity with the UK’s homeless veterans.
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.
Lisa Farmer OBE, Chief Executive of RBLI, said:
“Every person taking part is helping to shining a light on vital social issues, such as the urgent need for housing and welfare support for our most vulnerable veterans.
“The Great Tommy Sleep Out is far more than just a fundraiser – it is a movement. From families, scouts and cadets to corporate teams, people are rallying to support veterans in need, which I find truly inspiring.”
Part of the support RBLI provides to ex-Service veterans is homes for those who are at rock bottom and find themselves on the streets. The veterans who live in the charity’s emergency accommodation have access to welfare and healthcare support, employment training and work experience, which helps them on their way to independence after leaving the Armed Forces.
Paula Ray, RBLI’s Assistant Director of Unrestricted Income, is leading the campaign. She added:
“Thousands of veterans are homeless in the UK right now and our emergency accommodation, Mountbatten Pavilion, relies heavily on funds raised from The Great Tommy Sleep Out.
“Last year we saw more than 7,000 individual Sleep Outs taking place up and down the country, and it would be wonderful to see if we can beat our record this year.
“Our campaign is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by servicemen and women, who can find themselves without a home when they return to civilian life. With the money raised we continue to support veterans in their time of greatest need, and at the same time we are bringing the issue of veteran homelessness to national attention.”
Fundraisers taking part receive an exclusive beanie, and there is a Facebook community for fundraisers to swap stories and photos as they encourage and inspire each other.
To find out more about The Great Tommy Sleep Out, and to sign up, please click here.
