Jeremy and Robert roughed it out for the Victorian and Western Australian Vinnie’s CEO SleepOut to raise awareness and funds for the estimated 105,000 homeless people in Australia.
To bring this issue to the attention of average persons isn’t always an easy thing to do, so we both felt that if we could raise the awareness of our staff, friends, clients and other business people, we could all make a difference.
Jeremy’s experience of last night….
Australia is known to the world as the lucky country but not everyone has luck fall their way. Last night in Victoria a man spoke to the group of CEO’s. He was once a proud business owner that worked and worked and eventually it caught up with him and he broke down. After spending time in metal care he realized he was homeless. He has since overcome his situation and now works with St Vincent de Paul. My experience of sitting there listening to this person who had total stability in his life and had it turn upside down in one day really made me sit back and think how anything can happen.
Not only was I taken aback in the courage he showed to address a group of people he never had met, but I was amazed by how he has fought since that day and not given in.
I hope that the money we raised this year helps a lot of people and that next year more friends, clients and others get involved in such an important cause as you never know, it could one day be you.
Next year I, for one, hope to raise more and with the help of more Australians we can ensure that we reduce the number of people who are homeless. To St Vincent de Paul’s and the other charities around Australia, keep up the good work…
If you read this and think how this experience has reached me and wish to donate please visit the website here
Photo 1 (The group)
Photo 2 (Jeremy Manford)
Photo 3 (Robert Manford)
Certificate (Robert Manford)