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Western Australian business leaders brave the cold for a cause
Western Australian business leaders brave the cold for a cause
Seventy-six CEOs, executives and community leaders swapped their warm beds for cardboard and concrete as part of the annual Vinnies WA CEO Sleepout last night, so far raising more than $790,000 to support Western Australians facing homelessness.
Business leaders from across Perth descended on Optus Stadium in a powerful and poignant reminder of the rising rate of homelessness and growing housing crisis in our state, spending the night in the elements while temperatures dipped to an icy 4 degrees Celsius.
Latest Census data shows there were almost 10,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2021 – and Vinnies WA estimates that number has increased considerably.
Funds raised from the CEO Sleepout will go directly to Vinnies WA’s specialist homelessness services. These include crisis accommodation, rent relief, emergency assistance and support, and intensive intervention services at Tom Fisher House, specialist services for unaccompanied children and young people at Passages Youth Engagement Hubs, specialist mental health services at The Village, and our statewide volunteer network who deliver material assistance to those most in need.
Now in its 16th year in Western Australia, the CEO Sleepout has raised more than $12 million towards Vinnies WA services since its inception.
Perth lawyer Raymond Tan has been involved all 16 WA CEO Sleepouts and has single-handedly raised more than $500,000 to help combat the homelessness crisis in our state.
“Many years ago, I had an office with an outside toilet and one day a homeless man came into the toilet during the night. I allowed him to stay, but at some stage friends joined him too so I had to ask the police to move them on,” he said. “I felt really concerned and sad about that so when I found out about the CEO Sleepout, I decided to take part – and I’ve been involved ever since.”
Raymond, who is now a CEO Sleepout Ambassador, is one of just a handful of CEOs who have raised more than half a million dollars as part of CEO Sleepout fundraising efforts.
“I’m among the highest fundraisers for the CEO Sleepout and I’m just a small law firm. I’m really proud of that. Through the work we do in family law, we sometimes see mothers and wives kicked out of their homes and become homeless. It’s very confronting, so this is one way I’m helping the cause.”
CEO Sleepout Ambassador Amelia Gow lived on the streets from the age of 15 to 22. A harrowing incident provided the impetus for her to turn her life around, and now she helps other struggling young people, through her role at MJB Seminars.
“It was pretty dark out on the streets, and you have to do what you have to do to survive,” Amelia said. “I went through bouts of homelessness, getting good again and then coming back, but it’s a terrifying place.”
Amelia reclaimed her life after managing a traumatic experience in which she was held hostage and viciously beaten for nine days.
“I worked out in that moment that nobody was looking for me and nobody would miss me – and I didn’t want to die that way. I wanted to do something with my life. So, when I got out, I started rebuilding and getting healthy again,” she said.
“Instead of being a victim and living my life in fear, I saw how I gained and benefited from it. It got me clean, it got me sober, it helped me fix my relationship with my family, it got me my business and career. It’s that reason why I do what I do. I like to educate people that self-worth is everything.
“Supporting Vinnies WA, I know the money raised goes straight to the frontline and that’s incredibly important for me, especially as they do a lot of work with at-risk youth.
“When you’ve got a service like Passages where people can come every day and get food, and wash clothes and have a shower – that provides hope and hope can fix homelessness.”
Vinnies WA Chief Executive Officer Susan Rooney said she was incredibly grateful to each and every CEO and business leader who took part in, donated to or supported this year’s event.
“No one should have to experience homelessness, yet the reality is that more and more Western Australians are at risk,” she said.
“Across our services, we are seeing more and more people doing it tough. Even people who are employed are struggling to make ends meet. Many are wondering where their next meal is coming from, how they can pay rent, or if they can afford a medical bill. The slide into homelessness can come suddenly – in the form of another rent increase, the loss of a job, illness or family breakdown.
“The CEO Sleepout is about standing in solidarity with people in our community and raising vital funds to keep vulnerable members of our community housed, safe and supported.
“This collective effort will help ensure that Vinnies WA can be there for vulnerable Western Australians to prevent them from sliding into homelessness and assist people experiencing homelessness to find a pathway out.
“I’m deeply grateful to every leader who took part this year – you’re helping us change lives.”
Donations to the 2025 Vinnies WA CEO Sleepout can be made until the end of July.
If you need help, visit vinnies.org.au/wa or call 1300 794 054 for emergency relief and assistance.
Contact
Joanne Fitzpatrick
Manager Strategic Marketing, Communications and Events
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