He hasn’t been on a camping trip since he was in Year 6.
But, Mark Williams will climb into a sleeping bag this week to spend the longest night of the year outdoors.
The CEO of The Mutual Bank is taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout in Newcastle on Thursday 20 June to raise money – and awareness – for homelessness services.
He’ll join numerous business and community leaders from across the Hunter, braving the cold in the carpark at the St Vincent de Paul Society’s offices in Hunter Street.
With the increasing demand for assistance in the region, funds are more critical than ever.
Close to 14,000 people have been aided by St Vincent de Paul Society members in Maitland/Newcastle over the past year, including close to half experiencing housing stress.
Money raised will fund a new Vinnies Van service to provide meals across the region; support Matthew Talbot Homelessness Service towards accommodation, case management, food, clothing and additional assistance; and help residents at Vinnies Social and Affordable Housing complex in Cardiff.
“The issue of homelessness extends beyond one night and as the cost-of-living crisis forces more people into homelessness, our services are stretched well beyond capacity,” St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO Yolanda Saiz said.
“We hope to give all our participants a small insight into one of the great challenges of our time, as well as raise much-needed funds to help meet the growing unmet need in the community.”
While the head of the Hunter-based bank will certainly be out of his comfort zone from 5pm until 9am, Mr Williams said he was looking forward to the event.
“I’ll have had a hot meal and be in a warm sleeping bag and, importantly, I know I have a home to go back to, which is more than so many people who night after night experience housing uncertainty, whether they be sleeping rough, in crisis accommodation or couch surfing,” he explained.
“I was invited to take part in the sleepout by an industry colleague and I really didn’t hesitate, despite my obvious lack of camping experience, because I know the good work Vinnies does locally.
“Hopefully, people will be inspired to donate by seeing my temporary discomfort, to help Vinnies with their year-round support of vulnerable people.”
Nationally, more than $91 million has been raised since the Vinnies CEO Sleepout first started 18 years ago in Sydney.
In 2024, the fundraising goal is $9.2 million.
According to Vinnies, more than 122,000 Australians experience homelessness, and of these, around 8,200 people are “sleeping rough” in improvised dwellings, tents or outdoors.
To find out more about the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, visit www.ceosleepout.org.au.
For more community stories:
- GALLERY: Origin legends tee off for WRHS golf day
- Selfless Jenny’s Place trekkers tackle 120km challenge for DV
- League community kicks another $3.1m goal for Mark Hughes Foundation
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