CEOs set to endure a cold night at MyState Bank Arena

Vinnies CEO Heather Kent, Vinnies Southern Regional President Louise Wilson, Mingari + CO General Manager David Schiebel and Mingari + CO People and Culture Supervisor Kristy Dickson at the MyStateBank Arena preparing for the CEO Sleepout

On Thursday June 20 the St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania (Vinnies) will host its annual CEO Sleepout to raise funds for Tasmanians experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

The CEO Sleepout is an annual fundraising event that brings together CEOs, business and community leaders from across the country to spend a night sleeping rough to raise awareness and funds for people experiencing homelessness.

It is a physical and emotional challenge that gives participants a first-hand understanding of what Tasmanians experiencing homelessness and poverty go through on a daily basis.

This year there are two CEO Sleepouts happening simultaneously in Tasmania – one at UTAS Stadium in Launceston and the other at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart, both from 6pm to 6am.

“The CEO Sleepout is an excellent opportunity for the whole community to come together to support those who are most in need in our society, either by participating in or donating to the 2024 CEO Sleepout," Vinnies Tasmania CEO Heather Kent said.

“As Tasmania experiences harsh winter conditions, the CEO Sleepout becomes even more significant in raising awareness about the extreme challenges of those experiencing homelessness during the coldest months of the year.

“The event draws attention to the fact that many Tasmanians cannot afford to heat their homes due to rising energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis. We know that just paying rent at this time is a key issue.

“Many families go to bed each night wondering how much longer they can maintain a roof over their heads. This makes it essential to provide shelter and support to those who are most vulnerable in the community.”

By participating in the CEO Sleepout, CEOs and business and community leaders are showing their commitment to helping those who are most in need and helping to raise awareness of this as a critical and rapidly escalating issue in the community.

With the rates of people experiencing homelessness surging, the work done by Vinnies is more important than ever.

Last year Vinnies provided $1.4 million in assistance statewide, including over 24,000 instances of support through the Vinnies Soup Vans and over 35,000 instances of services provided through Emergency Relief delivered by volunteer Vincentian members across Tasmania.