Registration for The Great Tommy Sleep Out 2027 has officially opened, marking the return of one of the UK’s biggest fundraising movements for veterans.
The Great Tommy Sleep Out began six years ago as a WhatsApp group with a handful of people camping in their gardens. It has since grown into a national challenge, with more than 17,000 people across the UK taking part in 2026 alone.
The campaign asks people across the country to give up their bed for one night or more in March. By sleeping outside, people raise money and awareness for homeless veterans. Every pound raised goes directly to front-line services run by Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE).
Right now, 1 in 400 veterans* have nowhere to call home.
Leaving the forces can mean leaving behind more than just a job. Service life comes with structure, housing, and a ready-made community, and losing all three at once can be disorientating. Some veterans struggle to adjust to civilian life, others lose touch with support networks, or find relationships breaking down under the strain, and without that support, a fixed address can be hard to hold onto. Finding work can feel impossible without one, and without work, a home of their own slips further out of reach. It’s a hard cycle to break, and one many veterans face alone.
RBVE’s veterans village in Kent is home to more than 300 veterans and their families. With integrated employment pathways, it helps veterans move from crisis to building an independent life they can thrive in. It’s this work that money raised through The Great Tommy Sleep Out helps fund.
This year’s campaign is fronted once again by Billy Billingham, the former SAS soldier and Chief Instructor on Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, who is giving his time for free.
The growth of The Great Tommy Sleep Out would not be possible without his support, alongside our generous headline sponsors BAE Systems and Barratt Redrow.
Paula Ray, Director of Fundraising at RBVE, said: “I am so grateful to Billy Billingham, BAE Systems, and Barratt Redrow for standing with us again this year. All three are incredible supporters of The Great Tommy Sleep Out , and having that continued commitment it what allows this campaign to keep growing to support our work in helping to change veterans’ lives. Once people get involved in the campaign, they come back year after year, and it’s wonderful to see.”
Gabby Costigan, Group Business Development Director at BAE Systems, said: “Sleeping out for one night can never fully reflect the challenges faced by veterans experiencing homelessness, but it’s a powerful way to raise funds, build awareness and show our support. For the fourth year running, we’re proud to be part of a campaign making a difference for those who have served our nation.”
David Thomas, CEO of Barratt Redrow, commented: “Barratt Redrow is proud to sponsor The Great Tommy Sleep Out for the third year. We believe the entire housebuilding sector can play a vital role in reducing veteran homelessness, and we’re excited to continue supporting this important cause.”
Registrations for The Great Tommy Sleep Out are now open. However you take part, you are helping veterans rejoin the society they gave everything to protect.
About BAE Systems
We provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions, helping customers stay ahead of evolving threats across land, sea, air, cyber and space. We are a skilled workforce of around 110,000 people, working with customers and local partners in more than 40 countries to deliver military capability, protect national security and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.
About Barratt Redrow
Barratt Redrow is the UK’s most recommended homebuilder, making sustainable living a reality and building strong communities that people want to live in.
Through its leading brands – Barratt Homes, Barratt London, David Wilson Homes and Redrow – the company delivers high-quality, energy-efficient homes for every stage of life.
As the UK’s largest homebuilder, Barratt Redrow leads the industry on quality, customer service and sustainability.
- Rated five-star by customers in the HBF Customer Satisfaction Survey for 17 consecutive years.
- Winner of more NHBC Pride in the Job awards than any other housebuilder for 22 consecutive years.
- Recognised as a leading national housebuilder through independent sustainability benchmarks, including CDP, NextGeneration and TIME Magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies list 2026.