GVA to Host Upcoming Great Tommy Sleep Out Event
GVA is proud to host a regional Great Tommy Sleep Out event in collaboration with the Northwest & Yorkshire Northeast Social Value communities.
Event details:
Date: Tuesday, 17 March 2026
Location: GVA Depot, Far Turbury Farm, Clegg Lane, Greetland, Halifax, HX4 8PU
GVA invites supplier partners, local businesses, community groups and colleagues to take part, fundraise, and stand in solidarity with veterans who have served our country.
Overview
The Great Tommy Sleep Out is Royal British Veterans Enterprise’s (RBVE) flagship national fundraising and awareness campaign, taking place throughout March 2026. During this month, individuals, community groups, and corporate teams across the UK spend one or more nights sleeping outdoors to raise funds and highlight the urgent issue of veteran homelessness.
The challenge symbolises the harsh realities hundreds of veterans face and helps fund vital services such as:
- Emergency accommodation
- Mental health support
- Employment programmes
- Community reintegration initiatives
RBVE (formerly RBLI) is a national charity with over a century of experience, empowering veterans and people with disabilities by creating meaningful work, providing homes, and building supportive communities across the UK.
Why It Matters
The Great Tommy Sleep Out 2026 raises awareness of veteran homelessness. It generates vital funding that enables RBVE to continue delivering life‑changing support — including safe homes, employment pathways and wellbeing services for veterans transitioning to civilian life.
Participants not only fundraise but also help start important conversations in workplaces and communities about the challenges facing ex‑service personnel.
Participants who sign up also receive:
- Branded beanies
- Fundraising materials
These items unite participants with a nationwide community dedicated to improving outcomes for veterans.
Aligning with GVA’s ERS Gold Commitment
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), led by the UK Ministry of Defence, recognises organisations that demonstrate outstanding support to the Armed Forces community — including veterans, reservists, cadet force volunteers and their families.
The Gold Award, the highest level of ERS recognition, requires:
- Sustained and proactive support for defence communities
- Internal policies that assist Armed Forces personnel
- Advocacy and leadership within wider business networks
Hosting The Great Tommy Sleep Out reinforces GVA’s ERS Gold commitment by:
- Championing veteran welfare and homelessness awareness through a high‑impact fundraising event
- Engaging suppliers, partners and communities in collective social impact
- Demonstrating active support for Armed Forces values beyond formal employment policies
- Strengthening GVA’s profile as a socially responsible, forces‑friendly organisation
This event also supports measurable social value outcomes, a key strand of GVA’s social value commitments, highlighting the role employers can play through meaningful community engagement.
How to Get Involved
Individuals, teams and organisations are encouraged to:
- Donate or support fundraisers
- Take part in the Sleep Out
- Share the campaign across networks
- Raise awareness within the industry and local communities
- Promote the event through social value and Armed Forces networks
For more information, visit: https://rbve.org.uk/events/the-great-tommy-sleep-out/
Donate: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alan-gray-1768569628
