Mortgage Business Expo, which is holding MBE North at Manchester Central on 22 March, is to host industry charitable initiative, Mortgage Sleep Out (MSO) at the event.

This year MSO is aiming to be “back on the streets” to raise £250,000 for young homeless people as part of the End Youth Homelessness campaign.

Before the pandemic in 2019, MSO raised £110,000 through fund raising by industry volunteers sleeping outside at 25 separate events across the UK.

MBE will be donating stand space in the reception area and café to MSO, along with room for a contactless donation card machine and a link to MSO from the exhibitor list on the MBE website.

Mike Mikunda (pictured), director of Mortgage Business Expo, said: “Hosting MSO at MBE North is an absolute privilege and as we bring together all parts of the mortgage industry under one roof for the first major national Expo of the year, it is only right that, as an industry at the heart of the housing market, we demonstrate our practical support for the many young people who find themselves without homes.”

Will Lloyd-Hayward, spokesperson for the Mortgage Sleep Out initiative, added: “We last held Mortgage Sleep Out in 2018, which was of course prior to the pandemic. Since then, everyone has experienced a very turbulent time and, unfortunately, these situations often impact those in the most desperate situations the worst.

“So, we are determined to make the 2022 Mortgage Sleep Out even bigger and more successful at raising funds for End Youth Homelessness. We would like to thank Mortgage Business Expo for its support in getting this fundraising off the ground and hope to get the whole industry involved in this year’s event.”