CHIEF executives will be roughing it at Etihad Stadium next Thursday night to help charity agency Vinnies raise money to help fight homelessness.
Caroline Mulcahy (pictured), chief executive of Footscray-based Carers Victoria, was among the first 100 business and community leaders to sign up for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
“I’m doing my third sleepout to raise awareness that many people are sleeping rough on our streets every night of the week,” she said.
“That includes teenagers, young adults and a growing number of single mums with school-aged children who are sleeping in cars.
“They need our help, they need appropriate and timely support and services, and they deserve more in our relatively rich nation.
“If one night we can raise money and awareness for the homeless, count me in. I can always go home to my heated house, comfy bed and well-stocked fridge, but many can’t.”
Altona-based homeless service Latitude: Directions for Young People has 190 people aged 16-25 from Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Wyndham and Moonee Valley on its priority waiting list .
Manager Rhonda Collins says the real figures for homelessness remain unknown.
Last year, Victorians raised more than $638,000 of the $5.3 million national sleepout tally.
Details: ceosleepout.org.au
