Sleeping rough to support Australians experiencing homelessness

Posted on Jun 28 2023 by Poppy Nwosu

Professor Noel Lindsay in his sleeping bag under a tarpaulin

Professor Noel Lindsay, Pro Vice Chancellor, Entrepreneurship, and Dean of Business at Adelaide Business School at the University of Adelaide has slept rough outdoors on one of the coldest and longest nights of the year. By taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, his aim was to fundraise support for the many people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Australia.

Everyone deserves a warm, safe place to sleep, yet the reality is that thousands of Australians experience homelessness every night. To help break this devastating cycle, community leaders like Professor Lindsay slept outdoors on 22 June in an eye-opening experience which has raised awareness and funds for the people who need it most. It was one of the worst nights of the year for wild weather, which brought into sharp focus the difficult conditions experienced by Australians sleeping rough during winter.

“Prior to becoming involved with the CEO Sleepout, I was not aware of what can contribute to homelessness. When you hear some of the stories that have driven people in our community to becoming homeless, you fully appreciate that it could happen to anyone,” said Professor Lindsay, who has participated in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout for the past three years.

"We need to help support the homeless to find a place where they can feel safe, where they can have a decent meal, where they can find respect for themselves, and return to taking their place as valuable members of our society.”

Professor Lindsay fundraised $4000 this year, which has lifted his overall fundraising efforts to $10,000 for the past three years.

The 2023 Vinnies CEO Sleepout was an Australia-wide one-night event when hundreds of CEOs and business owners, as well as community and government leaders, slept outdoors. Each CEO Sleepout participant committed to raising a minimum amount of funds to help Vinnies provide their essential services.

Donate: www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/noellindsay/sa