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The Vinnies CEO Sleepout put on by the St Vincent de Paul Society each year, aims to raise money to help support and fight homelessness.

On what was the wettest night on record in five years, Venergy CEO Matthew Wilkins braved the conditions last night sleeping outside in Adelaide, smashing his $10,000 fundraising goal with $16,500 in the 2021 Vinnies CEO Sleepout.

Participating in his first Vinnies CEO Sleepout, Matthew’s fundraising efforts earned him a place amongst the Top 10 contributors on the night. A combined 136 CEOs from South Australia took part and together reached the highest donation amount yet, smashing its fundraising target of $800,000 by more than 100k – raising $900,000, and still climbing!

Over $16,000 raised for Vinnies CEO Sleepout AU to help break the devastating cycle of homelessness! Thank you to all those who supported me but more importantly supported the great work the Vinnies does every year! -Matthew Wilkins, Venergy CEO

The funds raised here in South Australia will accommodate people experiencing homelessness at Vinnies SA crisis centres, provides food and meal services, and provide support and advocacy through a variety of initiatives.

Last night’s CEO Sleepout has raised a record $8,451,033 so far to help Vinnies provide crisis accommodation, food, clothing, healthcare, emotional support, and long-term assistance for people experiencing homelessness. Last year, $5.7 million dollars was raised to help break the cycle of homelessness and poverty in Australia.

Even though the event has concluded, there is still time to donate: https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/matthewwilkins/adelaide

About Vinnies CEO Sleepout

The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is a one-night event over one of the longest and coldest nights of the year. Hundreds of CEOs, business owners as well as community and government leaders sleep outdoors to support the many Australians who are experiencing homelessness and people at risk of homelessness. Each CEO Sleepout participant commits to raising a minimum amount of funds to help Vinnies provide essential services to the people who need them.

Vinnies’ advocacy, education, counselling and housing programs are designed to tackle the root causes of inequality. Your donation directly assists people experiencing homelessness, by:

  • Funding new initiatives
  • Ensuring existing homeless services, like food vans and emergency support, continue
  • Expanding the reach of our existing programs to ensure every Australian can access accommodation, meals, and emergency assistance when they need it

Vinnies is determined to help break the cycle of homelessness. With support services all over Australia, Vinnies understands that each community is different. That’s why Vinnies services vary between each state and territory.