He's responsible for building thousands of homes around the South East but Tom Wright won't have a single roof over his head when he becomes homeless for the night for charity.

The managing director of Persimmon Homes South East will get first-hand experience of homelessness when he joins The Street Soccer Foundation’s sleep out event at Gillingham FC's Priestfield Stadium on Saturday June 30.

The project calls on business and community leaders to come together and sleep outdoors for one night, raising money and awareness of homelessness, poverty and youth unemployment across the region.

Chief executive and founder of The Street Soccer Foundation, Keith Mabbutt, said: “We’re asking business leaders across Kent and the South East to give up just one night of comfort to sleep outdoors at Priestfield Stadium to help others less fortunate than themselves.”

Persimmon has previously shown its support for the foundation, naming the charity a regional finalist in its national Healthy Communities scheme.

Mr Wright said: “As a company whose business is all about creating safe and comfortable places to live, the work of Street Soccer supporting homeless young people really resonates with us.

“Although Street Soccer didn’t win the top Healthy Communities prize - a cheque for £200,000 - they did receive a £5,000 prize in the competition, and during the course of campaigning for them we learned more about their work.

“The sleep out is a great idea, and I am pleased to be able to continue to support this great charity - giving up my bed for one night is a small hardship compared to those who have no choice but to sleep on the streets every night.”

The Street Soccer Academy educates and motivates young people by engaging them through football - improving their health and mindset to help them achieve their goals both on and off the pitch.

For more information visit streetsoccerfoundation.org.uk