LEADING charities are stepping up the fight against poverty and inequality with the backing of the north’s senior churchman.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has met charity leaders to discuss how best to work together for the good of society.

And their first sponsored event is expected to raise in the region of £50,000 to support food banks and homeless charities.

Among those who attended the gathering in York was businessman Andy Preston, who runs two Middlesbrough-based charities, CEO Sleepout UK together and Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.

His first project, in conjunction with the Church Urban Fund, will be a CEO Sleepout at Everton Football Club’s Goodison Park in Liverpool in January next year.

The event will see dozens of Merseyside business leaders give up the comfort and warmth of their own beds to experience a little of what it’s like to sleep rough.

It follows the success of recent events when company executives slept out at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough and St James’ Park in Newcastle.

Further events will be held in both cities later this year with more to follow in Durham, Sunderland and York.

CEO Sleepout expects to raise £250,000 in its first year of being. Mr Preston's other charity the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation has raised more than £750,000 for local good causes over the past three-and-a-half years.

He said: “The focus was on discussing some serious issues with other charity leaders who are in a position to make a tangible difference in our communities.

“Whie the Church Urban Fund is active throughout the country, it is especially focused on Middlesbrough due to high levels of deprivation, so we’re investigating ways we can work together to have an even bigger impact.”

Mr Preston added: “Archbishop Sentamu brought us together to discuss how the Church can work with us and encourage us to combine forces whenever possible.

“I was so impressed. He was knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about helping Middlesbrough’s poorest people.

“I talked with the Archbishop about the strengths and weaknesses of credit unions and what role they may be able to play in the future.

“We need to make sure that the poorest people get access to affordable short-term loans.

“I’m researching a lending model that the Church Urban Fund is trialling for short-term lending. I hope to share my findings with local credit unions soon.”