BUSINESS leaders from across the North-East are trading their beds for sleeping bags to experience the reality of homelessness.

They will be braving the elements by sleeping in the cloisters at Durham Cathedral to raise money for CEO Sleepout – a nationwide initiative bringing senior executives together to fight poverty.

CEO Sleepout also supports homelessness charities such as Depaul and the Cardinal Hume Centre.

It takes place on Monday, April 24 from 8pm to 6am the following day.

CEO Sleepout founder Andy Preston, who is attending the Durham event, said: “It gives senior level executives the chance to have fun doing something away from the boardroom, whilst raising funds for organisations which support those living in poverty.

Gaye Kirby, from Durham Cathedral, said: “The Durham CEO Sleepout presents a unique opportunity to stay overnight on a World Heritage Site, in the most intact surviving set of medieval monastic buildings in the UK.

“We are delighted to have the support of James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, and Alison Gittins, Membership Manager of Durham Business Club, amongst others. We hope that other CEOs in Durham, Sunderland and the wider North East region get behind this campaign to make this sleepout a success.”

To register e-mail info@ceosleepoutuk.com