Hope for late surge in CEO Sleepout

Donations totalling more than $200,000 have been made in the past two days ahead of tonight’s CEO Sleepout fundraiser, but organiser St Vincent de Paul Society of WA is still hoping a final surge in contributions will exceed the $1 million mark.

At the beginning of this week, Business News reported that many participating chief executives were yet to raise their targeted amounts, notching up only $465,000 collectively.

Last year, Perth’s CEO Sleepout raised $1.2 million.

As of last night there has been a 42 per cent increase in funds from the start of the week, taking the total amount donated to $663,000 for the campaign, which aims to bring awareness and raise funds for homeless services.

Tonight, 117 registered chief executives are expected to bed down in wet and stormy conditions around the Waca Ground.

Every night, almost 10,000 homeless people sleep rough either on Perth’s streets, in cars or in temporary accommodation. Nationally, there are more than 100,000 homeless people.

Donations in the name of CEOs to St Vinnie’s homelessness services will still be allowed for several days following the close of the event.

St Vincent de Paul Society of WA chief executive Mark Fitzpatrick urged Western Australians to dig deep, despite the tough economic climate.

“We know that the economic climate is a bit tough, but that also means for the people that we’re trying to help there’s more of them; and they’re actually in further hardships than they’ve ever been before,” Mr Fitzpatrick told Business News earlier this week.

The cause this year has been bolstered by a number of high-profile first-timers, including BHP Billiton’s Edgar Basto, Minderoo Foundation’s Nicola Forrest, and Lily Chen & Associates’ Lily Chen.

Consistent proven performers of years past taking part this year include frontrunner Barry Felstead from Crown Perth, Raymond Tan from Tan and Tan Lawyers, Brierty’s Peter McBain, and Bob Bollen from Benz Industries.