Eight Crown Highways employees gave up a night of comfort to sleep outdoors and spotlight the housing challenges faced by UK veterans. The two separate events, held at National Highways depot locations, helped raise vital funds for the Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE) Homes for Veterans programme.
Spending a night in solidarity
The Great Tommy Sleep Out asks participants to endure one night outside, mirroring the conditions many ex-servicemen and women face without stable housing. By experiencing the cold first-hand, participants bring attention to the reality of veteran homelessness. Funds raised provide safe homes, mental health support, and pathways towards independence.
How Crown Highways took part
The company’s Midlands team, including Steve Jones, Mike Dale, Pete Benton and Dec Riley, spent a night outdoors at the National Highways Bescot Depot. In a second event across the Northwest, Yorkshire and Northeast, Mark Robinson, Martin Shaw, Peter Rawlinson and Pete Benton joined the sleep out to reinforce Crown’s backing of the cause.
Royal British Veterans Enterprise’s mission
RBVE is a UK-wide charity with over 100 years’ history of aiding ex-servicemen and women. It focuses on creating employment opportunities, providing quality housing and fostering inclusive communities for veterans and people with disabilities.
Raising awareness beyond fundraising
Across the UK, many veterans face homelessness, mental health problems and social isolation after leaving the armed forces. The Great Tommy Sleep Out is designed to start conversations on these issues. It highlights the need for sustained support and community engagement to help those who served.
What it means for Crown Highways
Supporting this initiative reflects Crown Highways' commitment to social responsibility. Giving up a night’s comfort to raise funds and awareness reinforces the company’s focus on making positive contributions to communities.
Mike Dale, Crown’s managing director, said: “Spending a night sleeping outside is certainly a stark eye opener to the reality some of our veterans face. We’re fortunate it was just one night. To think ex-service men and women live that way day-to-day after their service is simply wrong.”
Pete Benton added: “It’s almost unthinkable that those who sign up to defend our country end up homeless. We’re passionate about supporting the Homes for Veterans programme because this is a problem that shouldn’t exist.”
Helping veterans rebuild
The Great Tommy Sleep Out aids RBVE in providing homes and support to veterans. Crown Highways’ participation brings practical focus to a social issue affecting thousands across the UK.
Explore more in our CSR section for social value and community outreach within UK highways infrastructure.
