HARDY fundraisers will donate around £8,000 to help tackle poverty and homelessness after sleeping rough for a night.

More than 100 people swapped their warm beds for the cold pavement outside Durham University’s Queen’s Campus in Stockton for the fifth Big Tees Sleepout organised by charity Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.

Its last event, held at Middlesbrough College in November, resulted in 160 participants raising a £20,000 and this Friday’s effort boosted the total to more than £72,000.

Causes set to benefit include local food banks, Middlesbrough Sports Academy for those in recovery from addiction and the Moses Project which provides meals for people in need.

Among those taking part was foundation trustee, Alastair Waite, who arrived wearing black tie after speaking at a dinner for Handelsbanken in Darlington earlier that evening.

The businessman who is CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of consultancy Altrelli, donated his £500 speaker fee to the Big Tees Sleepout, while Handelsbanken conducted a table collection during the dinner raising a further £1,000.

Two years ago Mr Waite raised £3,850 when taking part in the first ever CEO Sleepout at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.

Others taking part included staff from Tesco Express in Billingham and Nando’s in Middlesbrough, Yarm’s Thomas Rea Funeral Directors together with former homeless men and workers from Stockton’s Bridgehouse Mission.

Mandy Shields from Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation said: “It was a fantastic event, so many big-hearted Teessiders turned out to spend the night on a cold and uncomfortable floor. We have managed to boost our funds once again to help local foodbanks and homeless projects.”