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ISCOVER
Staff Reporter
Last night, two Loan Market executives traded in their cushy mattresses for cardboard beds as they participated in the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
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The executives were taking part in the event to raise awareness and money for the estimated 100,000 homeless of Australia.
Loan Market CEO Sam White, who was participating in the Sydney sleepout for a second time, said it was a humbling and eye-opening experience that he would use to continue to combat homelessness.
“There are people that go through what we went through last night, each and every night of the year. It’s our responsibility to share this short experience and use it to influence others to do what they can to help the less fortunate of Australia,” Mr White said.
“Our journey to end homelessness doesn’t end today. The core of our business is to help people get into homes and with one in 200 people homeless every night, as a company, we have a responsibility to raise awareness about homelessness,” Mr White said.
Loan Market director of sales, Mark De Martino, participated in the Melbourne sleepout for the first time and was shocked by the near freezing temperatures.
“The temperature is what I struggled with the most. I decided to bring in an old doona instead of the recommended sleeping bag because I wanted to make my night on the street as authentic as possible. Even then, it was still an experience far removed from what most homeless people would experience,” Mr De Martino said.
He added that he wouldn't forget the experience, and that he left his cardboard bed a more humble person.
“Sleeping on the streets is unbelievably hard, but there are so many other hardships the homeless face. It’s a huge misconception that they bring it upon themselves. We can help these people in so many ways instead of money donations. We can give them opportunities to reach their potential.”
