Western Australian CEOs have raised more than $1 million as part of the St Vincent de Paul Society’s CEO Sleepout this week.
Western Australian CEOs have raised more than $1 million as part of the St Vincent de Paul Society’s CEO Sleepout this week.
In all, 108 chief executives spent a night out in the cold at the WACA Ground to raise funds and awareness for people affected by homelessness.
In what developed into a good-natured, competitive battle, ABN Group managing director Dale Alcock raised the most money in WA, contributing almost $130,000 to the state total.
Mr Alcock beat long-time participant and top fundraiser over the Sleepout’s four-year history in WA, Crown chief executive officer Barry Felstead, who raised $93,786.
Fortescue Metals Group non-executive chairman Andrew Forrest also made a significant contribution to the state total: donating money through his charity, The Australian Children’s Trust; participating in the Sleepout; and donating between $1,000 and $10,000 to other participants’ totals depending on the amount of money they had previously raised.
Others to participate included Clough CEO Kevin Gallagher, Brierty managing director Peter McBain, and Toxfree Solutions managing director Steve Goslow, who raised the third, fourth and fifth largest amounts respectively.
This year, those who chose to experience a night of homelessness met with people who had been affected by homelessness, and heard testimonials from young people, families and those suffering from mental health issues.
WA performed well on the national scale, raising the second largest sum despite having a lower number of participating CEOs than most states.
Mr Alcock’s $130,000 was enough to place him second nationally, with only Holly Kramer of Best and Less, NSW, raising more, with $148,466.
The CEO Sleepout has raised more than $5 million nationally so far this year, with donations taken until the end of August.
The funds will be used by Vinnies to help individuals and families affected by homelessness.
The society says there are almost 14,000 homeless people in WA, with nearly 30 per cent of those under the age of 12.