Last night over 70 Sunshine Coast locals slept rough outside the Maroochydore Surf Club to raise $125,577 in support of the 1,500 men, women and children experiencing homelessness on the Sunshine Coast.
Despite a sprinkling of rain throughout the night, the group — which included representatives of local business people, community members and dignitaries — spent a night with nothing more than a sleeping bag and piece of cardboard, raising funds and awareness for the cause.
Sleepout participant and Sunshine Coast Business Council (SCBC) Chair Sandy Zubrinich said while the weather made conditions harsher than in previous years, she did not underestimate that those living on the streets battled tough conditions on a regular basis.
“This event is about getting out of your comfort zone and putting yourself in a position that thousands of Australians find themselves in across the country,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“The Vinnies community sleepout is such an important local event as it not only builds awareness of homelessness within our society, but also raises essential funds for services that assist disadvantaged members of our community.”
“We were very proud to have 28 of our SCBC members participate in last night’s event who collectively raised over $35,000. There was a flurry of donations last night as members shared their experience on social media in order to continue spreading the word and raising awareness of this great initiative.”
“As well as all the sleepers and those who donated to their campaigns, I’d like to congratulate the team at St Vincent de Paul Sunshine Coast for the great work.”
Other SCBC members who participated included Adrian Allen and Ben Simpson (both from Stockland), Evan Aldridge (Sekisui House), Bill Darby (Rumba Resort), Tony Vickers and Brad Davies (Midson Construction), Gavin Wuiske (RCQ Construction), Hayden Rudd (NCP Bathroom Centres), Peter Pallot (Sunshine Coast Airport) and Tony Riddle (RDA Sunshine Coast) to name but a few.
St Vincent de Paul Society Northern Diocesan President Ian Laherty said he was delighted that close to 700 people had already donated to the cause with donations still coming in after the event.
“We are always incredibly amazed and encouraged by the generosity of the Sunshine Coast community and this year once again reinforced this,” Mr Laherty said.
“These much-needed funds will go a long way in helping those in need, and the awareness this event generates via the networks of the sleepers who have come on board is equally valuable. This is an issue that needs to be tackled as a community and the Sleepout gives us the opportunity to talk about how we can help and how we can avoid an increase in homelessness numbers as the Coast continues to grow.”
“We’d like to thank all who were involved both on the night as well as through the purchase of raffle tickets. Of course we couldn’t raise such a wonderful amount of money without the support of our local sponsors who generously donated prizes for the raffle.”
The event also attracted great support from the Coast’s politicians including Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington, Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien, Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien, Member for Glasshouse Andrew Powell and Member for Buderim Steve Dixon.
Donations are still being accepted at www.communitysleepout.org.au.