MEDIA RELEASE
17 May 2010
ONE MONTH TO GO…
The countdown is officially on with exactly one month to go until the Vinnies CEO Sleepout on June 17, 2010 at the WACA. WA currently has 32 registered business and community leaders who will brave the cold and uncomfortable weather to experience, for just one night, what it is like to be homeless. The participants include James Pearson, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, Robin McClellan, State Director of Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Faith Nichols, CEO of Comestibles and John Poulsen, Managing Partner of Minter Ellison. St Vincent de Paul Society WA Spokesperson Lucinda Ardagh says the events aim is to make the issue of homelessness a major talking point amongst industry leaders in the hope of minimising the number of people sleeping on our streets. “By spending a night out in the cold with nothing but a cup of hot soup, a bread roll and a piece of cardboard to sleep on, we hope the participants get a glimpse of what life is like for 105,000 Australian’s every night. On a local level, this is a reality for over 13,000 West Australians,” Lucinda says. The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is a national event of the St Vincent de Paul Society that will be held on the same evening all Australian capital cities. WA is aiming to attract more than 100 business and community leaders and raise over $1.5 million nationally to go directly towards the ongoing provision of Vinnies' homeless services across the country. The St Vincent de Paul Society assisted more than 175,000 disadvantaged West Australian’s in the last financial year by offering home, comfort and dignity in their time of need. To see the full list of participants visit www.ceosleepout.org.au. Media inquiries: Deana Pullella, Communications Coordinator (08) 9475 5426 or 0404 086 054.