FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11 June 2010
ANDREW FORREST ‘RISES TO THE CHALLENGE’ Andrew Forrest, Fortescue Metal Group’s CEO, will ‘Rise to the Challenge’ of homelessness next week and sleep out to experience what it is like to be homeless for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. Mr Forrest is one of Australia’s most well known CEOs and will join 94 other business and community leaders next Thursday June 17 at the WACA and sleep rough with nothing but a piece of cardboard, a cup of soup and a bread roll. Mr Forrest is a passionate advocate for the rights of Australia’s most marginalised, particularly disadvantaged Indigenous people, and believes it is every CEOs responsibility to gain an understanding of what life would be like for the 13,391 West Australian’s for whom this is a daily reality. “I fully support the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. I believe it is every person’s responsibility to assist wherever and whenever they can to help the lives of those less fortunate than themselves,” Mr Forrest said. The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is a national initiative of the St Vincent de Paul Society and will be held in every capital city on Thursday June 17 with 658 business and community leaders Australia wide opting to forego their usual comforts for one night and gain a small insight into the seriousness of homelessness. The Vinnies CEO Sleepout in WA currently has 95 participants with over $150,000 raised to ensure Vinnies services remain open and the Society can continue responding to the many West Australian’s in need. Participants can still sign up to attend the Sleepout with registrations closing at 5pm on Tuesday June 15. Mr Forrest encourages all those in the position to participate to get involved and sign up today! Further information, registrations and donations can be made at www.ceosleepout.org.au Mr Forrest is unavailable for media interviews in the lead-up to this event but will be available for comment on the night.