MEDIA STATEMENT 23 June 2010
99 CEOs ROSE TO THE CHALLENGE 99 business and community leaders ‘Rose to the Challenge’ last Thursday June 17 and slept out at the WACA for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout which raised over $450,000 in WA. The event was held on the same night in every capital city around Australia with 685 participants experiencing a long and cold night outdoors raising a total of $2.7million for Vinnies services nationally. Participants signed up for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout to gain a small insight into what life is like to be homeless, sleeping on a thin piece of cardboard with only a cup of soup and a bread roll for dinner. St Vincent de Paul Society WA Spokesperson Lucinda Ardagh said the response from the business community of Perth was astounding and participants were inspired by their experience. “The reality is that over 13,000 West Australians are homeless every night of the year and many of the participants did not know this scary fact. One CEO later wrote ‘I learned so much from being involved; things I am ashamed to admit at 56, I knew little of; certainly I did not 'get' the extent of the problem, or that such things were even happening in a state as wealthy and well-heeled as our own’ proving that this event was very much an awareness raising initiative amongst Australians,” Lucinda said. “We can’t thank the West Australian community enough for getting behind this event. The participants did an outstanding job raising over $450,000, and the Society extends its thanks to its State Partners and the media representatives who broadcast the event across the state,” she said. Further information, a photo gallery and a full list of participants is visible at www.ceosleepout.org.au To support the ‘Good Works’ of the St Vincent de Paul Society, donate to the 2010 Winter Appeal, with all funds raised assisting West Australians in need throughout winter with essential items such as food, clothing, furniture and assistance with utility bills. Media contact: Communications Coordinator Deana Pullella (08) 9475 5426/0404 086 054 Email: deana.pullella@svdpwa.org.au