AUSTRALIAN Dairy Farmers (ADF) chief executive David Inall will swap his bed for the cold streets of Melbourne on the longest night of winter when he sleeps outside to raise money to fight homelessness in the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
The last Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) census recorded a shocking jump of 14,000 homeless people in Australia (14 per cent) in the five years to 2016, while Vinnies Victoria has experienced a dramatic rise of 40 percent in the demand for welfare support over the past three years.
Mr Inall has committed to raising $5,000 as part of Vinnies’ goal to reach $1 million in Victoria, which will help the more than 116,000 homeless people across Australia.
“The rate of homelessness in this country is devastating and it is our responsibility to raise funds to help people who are vulnerable and living on the streets,” Mr Inall said.
“I am fortunate to be employed in the Australian dairy industry and I am hoping that others from Australian agriculture will also join and be a part of this cause.
“One night isn’t a lot, but it can make a difference in bringing home the realities of homelessness. This will be an eye-opening experience. I’ve participated twice before in Canberra, but this will be my first sleepout in Melbourne.”
Now in its thirteenth year, the CEO Sleepout has raised $36.5 million since 2006, with organisers hopeful they can raise $6.4 million this year.
The funds are used to support vital services for people experiencing homelessness including crisis accommodation, food vouchers, rent assistance, referral services and more.
You can support Mr Inall by pledging donations here: https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/davidinall
Media Contact:
Ashley Mackinnon, Public Affairs Manager
M: 0407 766 153
E: media@australiandairyfarmers.com.au