In June 2024, our Director Chris is once again participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout which raises money for crisis accomodation, food, healthcare, counselling, education, employment and support to find a permanent home for thousands of people across Australia.
Hundeds of business, government and community leaders sleepout on one of the longest and coldest nights of the year, gaining a small glimpse into the daily reality for tens of thousands of Australians. Of those people experiencing homelessness in Australia, around 8,200 ‘sleep rough’ in improvised dwellings, tents or outdoors. But the majority of people facing homelessness are living in cars, on the couches of family or friends, or in overcrowded, temporary or unsuitable accommodation or caravan parks.
This is the third time Chris has participated in the Vinnes CEO Sleepout and he dedicates this effort in the memory of his friend Marcus Prentice.
“This year, not only will I be sleeping out for all of the homeless men, woman and children across Australia , I will be sleeping out in memory of my mate Marcus. Marcus died suddenly and unexpected at the end of 2022 at the age of 49, only months before he was due to head back home to his beloved Tassie to celebrate his 50th Birthday with family & friends.
Marcus was a constant reminder that homeless people are no different to you and me, they have mates, they have mums, they have dads, they have brothers and sisters, they have feelings, they’re intelligent, they have dreams and aspiration, and they follow footy teams (in Marcus’s case the Melbourne Storm) not the best of choices.
In fact, the only thing that makes homeless people different is that they have fallen on tough times, which is sadly often the result of an undiagnosed or untreated mental illness or domestic violence.
Over the years, as I got to know Marcus better, I learnt that he wasn’t just a vendor for the BIG Issue, he was a passionate spokesperson for the homeless who was not only educating school kids across NSW, he was educating and lobbying politicians on how to better manage Homelessness across Australia.
So this year, with great pride, I will be sleeping out for my old mate Marcus in the hope that I can play a small part in achieving his life passion and dream of ending homelessness across Australia. “
We’d love your help with raising vital funds to end homelessness in Australia and any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated. Please click here to donate.