Imagine sleeping out on a cold winter’s night with only a sheet of cardboard, a sleeping bag, and a beanie. Well more than 600 company CEOs in Australia are doing just that. 

 

What are they experiencing?

 

[Wayne Dunn, Australian Air Express CEO]:

“Very difficult conditions, cold, hard floor - not conducive to a good night’s sleep.”

 

It’s all in the name of charity to raise awareness and money for Australia's homeless as a part of the St Vincent de Paul Society’s CEO Sleepout. 

 

[Peter Johnstone, Vincent Care Chairman]:

“Two things: One raise awareness of homelessness in the community; and two, raise money for our homeless services.”

 

[Jane Nathan, Vinnies CEO Sleepout Ambassador]:

“Creating the awareness among the CEOs of what it is [like] to experience homelessness but also using their intelligence and their networks to look at it in different ways.” 

 

The place where Aussie Rules football stars normally vie for glory, Melbourne’s Etihad stadium, provides the Victorian sleep out location.

 

[Gerard Dalbosco, Ernst Young CEO]:

“Experiencing what life might be like from a different perspective is something quite powerful and I know other people who have done this and they have come out with very different views around homelessness.”

 

[Danny Wallas, DWS CEO]:

“We have had a lot of donations. Lachie and me are leading the charge in Melbourne between us we have raised some $38,000 as of about 6 o’clock tonight.”

 

[Brett Coleman, Contex CFO]: 

“I will certainly be more considerate and try to think of some ideas where we can really help this problem of homeless people going forward.”

 

After a rough night, these executives exceeded their target.

 

[Carol Taylor, Vinnies Fundraising and Marketing GM]:

“So far we have raised over two million dollars and still going strong so it is fantastic.”

 

[John Blewonski, St Vincent de Paul Aged Care & Community Services CEO]:

“Fortunately we will all be able to go home to a warm bed tonight but, for many others, they will spend the next few nights still sleeping rough.”

 

Phillipa Rayment, NTD News, Melbourne, Australia.