Founder of the Vinnies CEO SleepOut event Bernard Fehon felt uncomfortable about running a fancy dinner for the homeless.
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It was the reason the Blaxland financial planner thought up the idea in 2006 to get high powered executives to give up a few home comforts and sleep outside for the night.
“I was helping Vinnies raise money on the organising committee of an annual gala dinner. We were targeting CEOs and business owners for the dinner as we thought they would have the most money to bid on auction items secured for the event,” Mr Fehon said.
“It was a very traditional way of raising funds but it was a bit odd having a feast to raise money for those who can't afford their next meal. We were looking for ideas that made more sense and would allow us to move away from competing with all the other fund raising dinners. My kids were doing a Sleepout for Vinnies at their school, St Columba’s. So I said to Lisa Bright from Vinnies, ‘Why don't we have a CEO Sleepout instead of a CEO dinner’,” he said.
At the time his financial planning business, Tactical Solutions in Penrith was associated with AMP and their community fundraising program meant AMP Foundation matched dollar for dollar funds raised – up to $10,000.
“So AMP was the catalyst for the CEO Sleepout beginning,” he added.
“We pulled together a small number of CEOs at Stadium Australia on June 21 for the first CEO Sleepout.”
At that first event there was only about 10 business owners and executives who slept out.
“Some thought the idea would never last, some have never been, others have become committed serial sleepers. Rich Evans and Darren McKenzie were two locals who helped with the creative promotion of the event. One tagline was ‘put your boss out in the cold for the night’. That was on the website ‘dobinyourboss.com’,” he added.
While Mr Fehon has never experienced homelessness, he thought it was important to “change the way CEOs think”.
“I see homeless people most days ... I don't have all the solutions but I know Vinnies does great work to help so I will do what I can to help them.”
Since its inception the event has raised $30 million and he said the need was becoming greater.
“Every person who becomes homeless has a unique story. Job losses, family breakdown, mental illness and addiction are some of the triggers that lead to homelessness. Often it's a combination. There is no doubt the cost of housing is making it worse. One thing governments at all levels can do is ensure affordable and social housing is incorporated into new developments.”
The event has been run nationally since 2009 and has inspired similar events around the world – in the UK, South Africa , USA, Taiwan and New Zealand.
Money from the event has been gone to fund crisis accommodation and specialised services at Matthew Talbots hostel and Our Lady of the Way crisis accommodation for women over 55. Mr Fehon thanks Mountains residents who had generously donated in the past.
The sleepout is on June 22 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Last year 1475 CEOs took part.To sponsor Bernard go to:
https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/ceos/nsw-ceos/bernard-fehon/.
