Leaders from the manufacturing sector will join executives and senior figures from across the business and wider community for the 2025 Vinnies CEO Sleepout, an annual initiative aimed at raising funds and awareness for homelessness services provided by the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Marking its 20th year, the event will be held on Thursday 19 June, with manufacturing industry participants including Brian Mathieson of Briter Door Solutions, Craig Wellman of Wellman Packaging, and Kylie Roberts-Forst of Australian Bedding Stewards.
Participants will forgo the comfort of their homes for one night to gain insight into the challenges faced by those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
According to Vinnies, over 122,000 people are currently experiencing homelessness in Australia, including around 35,000 in New South Wales.
The funds raised through the CEO Sleepout help the Society deliver a range of services, from emergency food and housing to healthcare and long-term case management.
The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW runs more than 100 programs across the state, and last year supported 11,800 people through its homelessness, housing, health and community inclusion services.
The Society says the continued success of the CEO Sleepout is critical to sustaining these efforts.
“The Vinnies CEO Sleepout brings together people from a variety of backgrounds and industries in the name of a shared purpose: working to take action on homelessness,” said Niamh Mannion, Acting CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
“We’ve seen so many people take part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout over the past two decades gain a greater understanding of homelessness and how they can use their positions of influence to push for a more just society where people have the safety of a home,” Mannion said.
“The continued support the event has received over the years has been heartening and we look forward to welcoming new participants who can play a part in ensuring that our services can meet the need that exist now and going forward.”
The 2025 Vinnies CEO Sleepout will be held across Australia, with events in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong in New South Wales.
Registration and donations can be made at www.ceosleepout.org.au.
