Sports Gold Coast Chairman Sleeping Out for Homelessness

Sports Gold Coast Chairman Geoff Smith sleeping out to make a real difference for Queenslanders experiencing homelessness.

Tonight, our SGC Chairman Geoff Smith will sleep out on one of the longest and coldest nights of the year, as part of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout^®2019.

This year marks Geoff’s third appearance at the annual event which sees leaders from across Queensland sleep on the cold, hard concrete of the Gold Coast’s CBUS Super Stadium, raising much needed funds to help Vinnies provide vital, life-changing homelessness support services.

For Geoff, the event is one night of discomfort, but for more than 116,000 Australians — including 22,000 Queenslanders — homelessness is real.

As a proud Gold Coaster, Geoff is striving to raise much needed funds and awareness to help the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) support people in crisis, particularly in our local area.

“I’m very proud to be participating in this year’s Vinnies CEO Sleepout^®. As a city, we should be aspiring to wipeout issues of homelessness and domestic violence at every possible opportunity,” Geoff said.

“Per capita, the Gold Coast is one of the largest fund raisers for cities across Australia which is something to be proud of, and a cause that anyone in my position should be willing to help if possible.”

Vinnies Queensland CEO Kevin Mercer said the issue of homelessness is far more widespread than most people think.

“Homelessness is a harsh reality for many people — one in eight Queenslanders live below the poverty line and most Australians are just two pay days away from being without a secure place to live,” Mr Mercer said.

“The annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout^® aims to raise awareness of the issue by sharing the stories of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and raise vital funds to help us address the very real needs of the 22,000 homeless Queenslanders in our community.”

Funds raised at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout^® 2019 will enable Vinnies to provide emergency accommodation, advocacy support, budgeting services, life skills programs, emergency relief, transitional housing, and access to programs that help rebuild the lives of Australians living in poverty.

By donating you not only receive a tax deduction but also help promote the City of Gold Coast, Sports Gold Coast and its non for profit causes, focused on building a strong, caring and creative community.

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