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Brokers and bankers throughout Australia have so far raised more than $110,000 as they prepare to highlight the homelessness crisis by sleeping rough.
Loan Market chairman Sam White has so far raised $4,625 ahead of the annual CEO Sleepout on June 19.
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The group’s WA state manager, Ken MacLennan, has also secured $525 in donations.
Real Estate Investment Finance managing director David Chehade has raised $700, while Enrizen Financial Group director Denielle Franklin has raised $930.
Other industry figures taking part include St George chief executive George Frazis with $80,260 of pledges, BankSA chief executive Nick Reade with $13,403 and HomeStart Finance chief executive John Oliver with $2,460.
Genworth president Ellie Comerford has also raised $8,910, while HomeSec Business Finance chief executive Paul Stone has raised $100.
Mr Stone, who will be attending his first CEO Sleepout, said he had always been troubled that so many people don’t have a safe and secure place to live, especially in winter.
“It’s a disgrace, and it’s a disgrace a lot of us seem to turn our backs on,” he told The Adviser.
“My taking part is to help raise funds for the wonderful work Vinnies do for homeless Australians, and also to raise awareness with my political friends about the appalling fact that we have so many homeless Australians in what we call ‘the lucky country’.”
Mr Oliver from HomeStart Finance said he had gained an understanding of the difficulties faced by homeless people during his four previous sleepouts.
“They deserve dignity, respect and some understanding that this was not in their grand plan of life,” he said.
“More so than an uncomfortable night’s sleep, what I have learnt through the sleepout is it is the lack of security and being safe for homeless people that is much harder to deal with – the mental side of homelessness is the unseen side of the issue.”
Mr Chehade from Real Estate Investment Finance, who will be taking part in his first sleepout, said it was a sad reality that more than 100,000 Australians are homeless.
“If it means spending just one night being uncomfortable and helping make a difference, that is the least I can do,” he said.
Mr Frazis from St George, who will be taking part in his second CEO Sleepout, highlighted the fact that a quarter of the people living on the streets are children.
“The event is a wonderful way for business leaders to not only raise awareness of homelessness, but also raise funds to support this worthy cause,” he told The Adviser.
BankSA’s Nick Read will be participating in his first sleepout. “Spending one cold, uncomfortable night on the lawns of Government House is a small price to pay for raising awareness and much-needed funds to help fellow South Australians who face this hardship every day of the year,” he said.
[Related: Loan Market boss to sell The Big Issue]
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