Big names join city sleepout

Marc Ellis. Photo / Supplied

The agency that runs Auckland's Airedale St soup kitchen, Lifewise, has been inundated with offers to join a "big sleepout" of business and community leaders in a city carpark to raise money for the homeless.

Former All Black and Warriors star Marc Ellis, Fletcher Trust chairman Angus Fletcher and Auckland accountant David Searle are among a new batch of volunteers who have signed up for the night of October 14.

Other newcomers include MPs Nikki Kaye and Jacinda Ardern and Auckland Council candidates Linda Cooper and Tenby Powell, plus Mr Powell's wife, Sharon Hunter.

By late yesterday, the volunteers had raised $23,023 towards a $50,000 target.