John Pitt sleeps out, so others can sleep in

(23 May, 2012)

pitt&sherry’s Managing Director, John Pitt will once again be rising to the challenge when he will sleep rough for a night participating in the 7th Vinnies CEO Sleepout in support of Vinnies homeless services. The event will take place across the country on June 21, 2012 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Darwin, and Launceston.

John and 26 other Tasmanian-based CEOs will be joining some of the country’s top business leaders, who have registered to take part this year including: Ann Sherry AO, Carnival Australia; Tom Southern, CBRE; Aaron McKie, Hungry Jacks; Sean Kildare, Inpex; Bruce Davidson, Australian Associated Press; Brett Chenoweth, APN News and Media; John Latham, Pfizer Australia; Stephen Porges, Aussie; Andrew Fagan, Brumbies Rugby; Ian Robson, Essendon Football Club; Ron Gauci, Melbourne Storm; Rhys Holleran, Southern Cross Austereo; and Richard Bowden, Bupa Australia.

Mr Pitt said that at the last Census, 104,700 Australians were counted as homeless (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006) with 50,256 Australian’s on the street, every night.

“The aim of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout is not only to raise funds, but raise awareness of homelessness. So far, more than 700 CEOs Australia-wide have signed up for the 2012 Sleepout and we have raised around $640,000,” Mr Pitt said.

“We have a long way to go so I am personally seeking your support, big or small, to help so many people who need our help to enjoy even a basic standard of living that includes a roof over their head and a warm bed,” he added.

St Vincent de Paul Society National CEO, Dr John Falzon supported John’s comments when he spoke about the plight of the many homeless children in Australia, as he called for an end to homelessness rather than the management of this insidious issue.

“Thirty-three per cent of people experiencing homelessness are children or young people. That’s more than 34,000 kids without a place they can call home. Children in homeless families are more at risk of experiencing disadvantage and homelessness over their lifetime, Dr Falzon said.

For more information and to donate please visit: http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/ceos/tas-ceos/profile/?ceo=765

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