Vinnies CEO Sleepout raises over $8.6m

Every night over 100,000 Australians bravely face the elements, without a place to call home. Last Thursday night, Australia’s homeless were joined by 1,655 of Australia’s CEO’s and business leaders taking part in the 2021 Vinnies CEO Sleepout.  As at this afternoon, over $8.6m was raised to support the important work of the St Vincent De Paul Society in providing temporary, emergency and crisis accommodation to the homeless, and relief from burgeoning energy costs for vulnerable members of the community.

CER's CEO Ian Yard-Smith was proud to participate in this year’s event for the first time.

I met, and we heard from, a few of the thousands of people who have been subject to homelessness and who Vinnies have helped. Incredibly heart breaking stories. And they are were all people just like us whose lives - through nothing more than circumstances changing outside of their control - ended up without a home and without security. For some, they actively chose to be homeless - their home lives were that dangerous.” Ian added further, "The power of storytelling, of hearing first-hand accounts really drove the vital work of Vinnies home to me.”

Even though the Vinnies CEO Sleepout is only one night, it is the knowledge that this event will have a more enduring impact on those who experience homelessness 365 days per year, that has motivated the community to get behind supporting the important work of Vinnies Australia.

A big thank you must go to all who supported Ian’s fundraising efforts. It isn’t too late to show your support – click on the link/s below to learn more about how you can help a person or family in need.


TO DONATE: http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/ianyard-smith/new-south-wales

TO LEARN MORE: CEO Sleepout - can you help? http://engage.cer.catholic.org.au/latest-news/can-you-help

 

CEO Sleepout - can you help?