IT chiefs sleep rough for charity

Top figures in the IT industry will sleep on London's streets for a night as part of a fund-raising campaign. The money will be used to purchase houses for young, homeless people in the UK.

John Higgins, director general of the CSSA, is one of those planning to sleep out, as is Andy Palmer, UK MD of 3Com, and the heads of Software AG, Agresso and Unify Corporation.

Managing directors each have to raise £1,000 through sponsorship before taking part in the 'Sleep on the Streets' project, which is being organised by NCH Action for Children. The event is likely to take place in early September.

An NCH spokeswoman said: "We are approaching the IT industry because we share a common deadline. It needs to solve the millennium bug by 2000, and we want to eradicate homelessness by then."

Campaign coordinator Maggie Poe said that the money would be used to purchase accommodation for young people, to mediate within families and to lobby the Government. "In 1988 16 and 17-year olds lost their benefits," she said. "If they are unemployed and have left home, these people have no money at all. We need a change in the law."

Around 50 managing directors and top executives will sleep out on the pavement in sleeping bags. Despite the discomfort, the night is intended to be fun and supportive. Interested parties should contact Maggie Poe on 0171 704 7105.