2017 Vinnies CEO Sleepout – Cbus Super Stadium, Robina
Every night over 104,000 people, including 17,845 children, across Australia have nowhere to sleep. Homelessness doesn’t discriminate and behind every homeless person is a unique story of how they got there; trauma, grief, mental health issues and just pure bad luck can see someone slip off the fringes of society and onto the streets.
In order to shine a light on the issue of homelessness and raise crucial funds for the support programs run by Vinnies, CEO’s from across the Gold Coast business community will experience an insight into what it is like to sleep rough for the night. Packing their sleeping bags and donning some warm clothes and a beanie, they will converge on Cbus Super Stadium and spend the night under the stars.
This year’s Gold Coast Vinnies CEO Sleepout is being held on the 22nd of June 2017 at CBus Super Stadium Robina.
Since its inception in 2015, the CEO Sleepout has raised has raised millions of dollars to assist the programs run by St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria (Vinnies).
The annual event started in 2006 as a local community venture in Sydney’s Parramatta and was spearheaded by a local business leader, Bernard Fhon, Managing Director of Tactical Solutions with the help of Vinnies, business associates, volunteers and his family.
On 21 June 2006 the first Vinnies CEO Sleepout was launched by Bernard at Sydney Olympic Park.
By 2010 the event had become so popular it went national and exceeded all expectations, with almost 700 CEOs in 7 cities raising $2.9 million to combat homelessness.
Those numbers grew to 1,000 CEOs and $5.3 million dollars was raised in 2013.
All money raised for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout is used to assist people experiencing homelessness and the ultimate goal of breaking the cycle and helping homeless people to get off the streets permanently.
The admirable CEO’s taking part this year will have the resources to plan for their night out in the cold; wearing warm, dry and clean clothes and taking along a quality sleeping bag, plus being surrounded by others in a safe and secure environment. The reality for many homeless members of our community is vastly different. Just trying to find a safe and dry place to sleep each night, often in freezing temperatures, is a daily struggle.
You can find a participating Gold Coast CEO and donate to their fundraising efforts by clicking here. It’s not too late to register a CEO to participate so encourage your boss to get involved and help him help those less fortunate. Everyone can participate and help by donating to show your support.
For further event details visit the Cbus Super Stadium website.
Our fellow Australians living on the streets need our help so do what you can to support this worthwhile cause.
