On any given night, while the majority of us are tucked up nice and warm in our beds there are over 8,000 people sleeping rough in improvised dwellings, tents or outdoors.
The majority of people facing homelessness are living in cars, on the couches of friends or family, or in overcrowded, temporary or unsuitable accommodation or caravan parks.
This year Robbie Nicholson is making it his goal to make a difference.
Taking on the CEO Sleepout challenge, Robbie will head to Launceston on June 17 to take part in the annual event.
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout raises money for crisis accommodation, food, healthcare, counselling, education, employment, and support to find a permanent home for thousands of people across the country.
Hundreds of business, government and community leaders sleepout on one of the longest and coldest nights of the year, gaining a small glimpse into the daily reality for tens of thousands of Australians.
As well as fundraising for essential services, participants hear from people with lived experience of homelessness and learn about the factors that contribute to the growing number of people facing housing instability.
Nationally, almost $64 million has been raised since the Vinnies CEO Sleepout first started 16 years ago in Sydney. This year’s fundraising goal is $7.98 million nationally.
Robbie’s plan is to get the word out more and hopefully make people stop for a second and think about people less fortunate.
“And maybe what it means for people who are homeless.”
“I have presently raised $1537 which will help four people with Individual Support Programs, 12 beds and 51 meals,” Robbie said.
Robbie says that everyone deserves to be safe and no one should be homeless in Australia.
“I hope after this experience I will know a lot more about Homelessness in Tasmania.
“In our area we don’t see the people sleeping on the streets like other places but people are homeless in our town.”
To donate to Robbie’s cause you can head to https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/robertnicholson/launceston
