More than $3000 raised for the St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout

Greetings from a warm house.

Well, the St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout happened on the 17th June and I am still here!  I would like to thank those who provided sponsorship most sincerely for supporting me in this challenge. I managed to raise over $3000.00 –a thrill for me.  You contributed not only financially, but with a great deal of moral support for which I am most grateful.

What happened on the night you ask?  It was interesting and fun, as well as a challenge on a windy night with what we were told was a 1 degree celsius overnight minimum temperature.  There were 111 Canberra business and community leaders who participated –all up for the challenge.  As a group we raised over $332,000.

I saw some shocking sites with some people’s pyjamas and thermals! Glamour was not the name of the game!  I enjoyed many interesting discussions and met some terrific people.

The Garden of Australian Dreams at the National Museum of Australia was our bedroom and for those who have not been there, it is a mostly concrete space with many alcoves and walkways.  I bunked down with a group of about ten people and our possie turned out to be one of the better bets.  Those who rushed to claim a spot in the “tunnel”, a cosy and sheltered space, found that snoring was amplified, so they didn’t get any sleep at all! The icy wind for most of us was the challenge, even though the rains had ceased earlier in the day. But as all Canberrans know, it could have been a lost worst—so we were thankful.

On the evening after registration, some mingling and an arrival greeting, we were asked to come into a room within the Museum to watch a short video on two people’s journey with homelessness.  It was a very sobering experience to listen to the stories of two people who found themselves homeless for completely different reasons.  We were then surprised when these two people, one by one, got up on the podium to speak to us directly and answer questions about homelessness. Amazing human beings indeed and it left this room full of relatively privileged people pondering all sorts of questions which it was meant to do.

Our wake up call was at 5am and we were served porridge and tea.  Then off to hot showers and warm clothing and for those of us who did not have to work – even a nap in a warm bed.  That is where our homeless journey ends ….BUT…. we are now more painfully aware that for the many others, their day will be completely focused on finding a place to stay warm, and seeking a meal.

Thank you to everyone who sponsored me and the Stallholders from the markets who donated a variety of beautiful warm woolen goods – I am sincerely most grateful for your friendship and support.

A message from one of our directors, Diane.