Finance and Management Professionals Invited to Participate in First Online Vinnies CEO Sleepout

Finance and management executives are invited to register for the first ever online Vinnies CEO Sleepout, joining hundreds of high-profile Australians to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The 2020 Vinnies CEO Sleepout will take place overnight on 18 June, and registrations are currently open at ceosleepout.org.au.

For the first time, in response to COVID-19, the Vinnies CEO Sleepout will be live-streamed online at ceosleepout.org.au/live2020 in an interactive broadcast hosted by television personality Dr Andrew Rochford. Instead of sleeping out in major cities across the country, business and community leaders will participate remotely from their cars, backyards, or couches.

“I’ve seen the difference that Vinnies’ homelessness services make first-hand, and the Vinnies CEO Sleepout is such an important fundraiser to make sure they can continue helping thousands of people every year,” Dr Rochford said.

The 2019 Vinnies CEO Sleepout raised $7.9 million for Vinnies’ homelessness services across Australia including accommodation; domestic violence refuges; food, clothing, blankets; counselling and healthcare; and individualised case support.

“It’s great to see Vinnies, and the business and community leaders who participate in the Sleepout, adapt to ensure this year’s event can go ahead in the midst of coronavirus. The onset of a global health crisis means people facing homelessness need that support more than ever,” Dr Rochford said.

Vinnies is warmly inviting finance and management professionals to sign up for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout and nominate their own sleeping location - either their car, couch, or outdoors in their backyard.

Each of these locations reflects the reality for many of the 116,000 people experiencing homelessness across the country. Of these, around one in 14 people are ‘sleeping rough’, but many more are hidden from sight -couch surfing, sleeping in cars or even in tents - nonetheless unable to find a suitable and safe place to live and sleep.

This year, participants can also involve their partner and children, helping the whole family to learn more about the growing issue of homelessness in Australia.

The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is open to all C-suite and executive-level professionals including small business and community leaders. Unlike in previous years, in recognition of the financial impact of coronavirus, there is no minimum fundraising expectation for this year’s participants.

“Please register at ceosleepout.org.au and start raising funds to make a real difference,” Dr Rochford said.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones | 0417 446 430