Vinnies CEO Sleepout

The Vinnies CEO Sleepout in June helps shine a light on local homelessness and bring some warmth to the longest night of the year.

“I think the purpose of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout is to raise awareness, as well as to, obviously, raise money for the cause”, said Emily Dodd, Group Marketing Manager, Wakeling Automotive, who participated last year.

The CEO Sleepout started 12 years ago, the idea of a volunteer from Western Sydney. “And since that time, across the state we’ve raised $30 million”, said Gaynor Mason, Wollongong Diocesan Central Council President, St Vincent de Paul Society.

Last year, 38 CEOs slept out in the cold, raising $110,000. Ms Mason hopes that this year’s effort could top that.

On any given night Within the Wollongong Central Council region, Vinnies deal with over
1,000 people sleeping rough.

“Essentially, we’d be able to provide greater levels of services within the area”, hopes Peter Quarmby, Wollongong Diocesan Central Council Executive Officer, St Vincent de Paul Society.