A BASINGSTOKE businessman is calling for more companies to get involved in a charity event to help the homeless.

Keith Hinde, an IT contractor from Basingstoke, is on the board of Byte Night, an annual sleep-out event to raise money to help the homeless.

Byte Night is a national event where members of businesses and individuals form teams to sleep rough for one night while raising money for Action for Children, which works to support over 370,000 children, young people and families who have problems related to homelessness.

One thing that Keith has noticed in recent years is a lack of companies from Basingstoke involved.

Keith said: “This is my fourth year doing the sleep-out, and my second year as a member of the board.

“In all my time I’ve never seen a company from Basingstoke take part, which is difficult for me as a member of the board. It is such a good cause and it is a great team-building opportunity for companies as well.

“In the past I’ve managed to convince a team from Yell to join in with me, but they are based in Reading, and the one niggle that I have is that no one from Basingstoke has got involved. It isn’t that much hardship for one night, and reminds you how lucky you are.”

The event is on October 5.

For more information or to sign up, go to bytenight.org.uk.