June 18, 2010
Sleeping rough on the cold Winter streets of Adelaide, 85 local CEOs and business leaders last night took part in the 2010 Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
Their mission: to raise funds for the ongoing provisions of St Vincent de Paul's homeless services.
Mortgage Choice's South Australian and Northern Territory state manager, Louise Small is pleased to have exceeded her fundraising expectations with her sights now set higher.
"The Vinnies CEO Sleepout has been a life changing experience for me and I am grateful to my friends, family and Mortgage Choice for sharing in my journey and allowing me to raise such needed funds," said Louse.
"With everyone's support, I was delighted to break through my fund raising target of $3,000 late last night. I am now hoping to break through the $4,000 barrier later today."
Nationally, the 2010 Vinnies CEO Sleepout has raised over $2.6 million dollars with one week left for all participants to rally every last cent they can.
Louise is grateful for taking part in the annual event, describing the experience as humbling.
"The night sky was kind to us, dropping to only nine degrees but we were kept warm by the heartfelt stories of those closest to the cause, the people working for Vinnies. We all gained a better insight into the many amazing services they provide across Adelaide and the whole of Australia. It's a remarkable offering, from the homeless shelter, to the soup kitchen to working with disadvantaged youth and those suffering mental illness," she said.
"As the night wore on, I reflected on something one of the speakers had shared with us - how we take for granted that we have somewhere to recover. Recover from whatever it is that the day has thrown at us. Yet, our homeless and disadvantaged have no 'recovery' place, nowhere and no one to help them rebuild their self-worth, confidence and, importantly, hope. Thankfully, the support and services provided by Vinnies bridges that gap.
"The experience was humbling and I am please to have shared this with 84 other caring business leaders from right across the state, all wanting to make a positive difference to the growing adversity in our local communities."
To help Louise further breach her fundraising target, visit www.CEOSleepout.org.au.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Belinda Williamson
Mortgage Choice
(02) 8907 0472
belinda.williamson@mortgagechoice.com.a
