4 July 2024
Having a safe place to sleep at night is a basic human right, but sadly, thousands of Queenslanders, including children, are sleeping rough for the first time ever. On Thursday 20 June 2024, our CEO Jason Eldering took part again in the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout. Jason was joined by a team of SCCQ Senior Leaders including Carmel Davis, Scott Norton, Kaye Coates, Mohammed Sardar, Martin Moriarty, and Matthew Martin.
The team joined other business, government and community leaders across Australia, all sleeping outside at Brisbane’s Riverstage in the Botanical Gardens. It was an eye-opening experience to raise awareness and bring home the realities of homelessness, and most importantly raise funds for those in need.
More than 122,000 people in Australia don’t have a safe and secure place to live, including an increasing number of young people and older women. Although the Vinnies CEO Sleepout is only a tiny glimpse into what it’s like for those who experience homelessness, it’s an important issue which Jason is dedicated to supporting.
“We’ve been supporting the Vinnies CEO Sleepout for a few years now and it’s something that we’re really passionate about at Southern Cross Care. Having a safe place to sleep at night is a basic human right. The cost-of-living pressures that have risen so dramatically recently have pushed so many fellow Australians into homelessness. They need our help now more than ever,” said Jason.
Jason and the SCCQ team have managed to raise over $27,000 so far as part of this year’s fundraising campaign, but there is still time to donate. All money raised goes directly to Vinnies to ensure their vital services can stay up and running so they can provide food, accommodation, education, counselling, employment and health programs to those experiencing homelessness and those who are at risk of experiencing homelessness.
As well as Jason and SCCQ’s Senior Leaders tapping into their networks to raise funds, the wider SCCQ community has also contributed and given generously through initiatives like Pyjama Day and morning tea events across their various homes and Support Centre. A CEO Sleepout staff fundraising raffle was also held, raising nearly $1,000 towards the cause.
“The generosity of our wider SCCQ community in helping others is always inspiring to me,” said Jason. Thank you to all those who have donated to SCCQ’s fundraising campaign to help Vinnies end the cycle of homelessness and poverty in Australia.
Our CEO Sleepout Team 2024
Vinnies CEO Sleepout 2024 at Brisbane Riverstage
SCCQ staff getting into the spirit of Pyjama Day at Caloundra Aged Care to raise donations for the CEO Sleepout fundraiser.
SCCQ staff getting into the spirit of Pyjama Day at Stretton Gardens Aged Care to raise donations for the CEO Sleepout fundraiser.
