Crown Highways has once again demonstrated its strong commitment to community and charitable initiatives by taking part in The Great Tommy Sleep Out, raising awareness and vital funds to support veterans facing homelessness and hardship.

The challenge, organised to support Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE) Homes for Veterans programme, asks participants to give up a night of comfort and sleep outdoors in solidarity with ex-servicemen and women who are currently without stable housing. By spending a night in the cold, participants help highlight the difficult reality that many veterans face after leaving service, while raising funds to provide safe homes, mental health support and pathways back to independence.

Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE) is a national charity with over a century of proud service, helping thousands of ex-servicemen and women rebuild their lives. We empower veterans and people with disabilities by creating meaningful jobs, providing quality homes, and building inclusive communities where everyone can thrive.

Crown Highways teams have been supporting the initiative across two separate events.

In the Midlands, Steve Jones, Mike Dale, Pete Benton and Dec Riley took part in the sleep out at the National Highways Bescot Depot, spending the night outdoors to raise funds and awareness for the cause.

The company’s support continued with a second sleep out event covering the Northwest, Yorkshire and the Northeast, where Mark Robinson, Martin Shaw, Peter Rawlinson and Pete Benton were representing Crown Highways and once again braving the elements in support of veterans.

The Great Tommy Sleep Out is designed not only to raise funds, but also to spark conversations about the real challenges faced by former members of the armed forces.

Across the UK, thousands of veterans experience unstable housing, mental health difficulties and social isolation after leaving military life. Initiatives such as this help shine a light on those issues and drive meaningful support where it is most needed.

For Crown, the involvement in the challenge reflects the wider ethos that runs throughout the company.

Supporting charitable causes and giving back to communities is a core part of Crown’s identity, and initiatives like The Great Tommy Sleep Out reinforce the company’s belief in doing good things for good people.

By stepping outside and sacrificing a night’s comfort, the Crown team not only raised funds but also awareness – helping ensure that those who once served their country receive support, recognition and care.

Crown MD Mike Dale said:

“We’re proud to support The Great Tommy Sleep Out, and spending a night sleeping outside is certainly a stark eye opener as to the reality some of our veterans are facing. We’re fortunate that it was just one night for us, but to think there are ex-service men and women living that as their day-to-day reality after their service and sacrifice is just wrong.”

Pete Benton added:

“It’s almost unthinkable really that those that sign up to defend our country end up in a position of homelessness to the degree that they do. As a company, we’re passionate about supporting the Homes for Veterans programme to address this issue as it’s something we simply don’t think is right.”