BUSINESSES have been set the challenge of spending a night exposed to the elements to raise funds for youth services in the north west.

Action for Children is holding a special launch event to give companies the opportunity to find out how they can get involved in Byte Night, the UK’s biggest sponsored sleep out, and how the money raised will help to ensure vulnerable young people living in Manchester have a safe and loving place to call home.

Carol Iddon, director of children’s services at Action for Children in Manchester, explains: “More than 400 companies right across the UK spend the night exposed to the elements on Byte Night to raise money for vital services that support young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

“Some of the biggest companies in Manchester take part, making Byte Night a unique networking opportunity as well as a chance to support some of the most vulnerable young people in our society. One night really does make a lifetime’s difference.”

RBS, IBM, La Fosse, Civica, TalkTalk and PZ Cussons are already signed up to sleep out at Byte Night Manchester 2015.

Simon Meredith, CIO at IBM and chair of the Byte Night planning committee, said: “Byte Night will be cold, wet and uncomfortable, but it is only one night. The IBM team have now slept out for three years. It’s a hard night but in the morning we return to warm homes, full fridges, and cosy beds.

“For many children and young people living in UK, this simply isn’t the case. If you or your employer would like to find out more about joining us in the sleep out, please come along to our launch event. Our aim is simple, to give every child a safe and loving home.”

Byte Night 2014 raised £1.1 million, with more 1,300 people sleeping out across the UK.

The Byte Night Manchester launch event takes place on May 6 from 6.30 – 8.30pm at Royal Bank of Scotland, 1 Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3AP.

If you would like to find out more about Byte Night but cannot attend the event, visit bytenight.org.uk or contact the Byte Night team on bytenight@actionforchildren.org.uk