Business leaders to sleep on streets for Vinnes Sleep Out

Cbus Super Stadium at Robina will be filled with business leaders preparing to sleep rough in a bid to raise $500,000 during the 2019 Vinnies CEO Sleepout. Here’s how you can help.

BUSINESS leaders are preparing to sleep rough and they are calling on others to join them in their bid to raise $500,000.

The Good Samaritans have joined the 2019 Vinnies CEO Sleepout, which will take place in June at the Cbus Super Stadium at Robina.

LACK OF HOMELESS REFUGES ON COAST RESULTS IN THE DEATHS OF 61 PEOPLE

Southport MP Rob Molhoek is an ambassador for the fundraiser and he said the target this year was to get 200 business and community leaders on board.

“Our aim is to raise a whopping $500,000 for the Gold Coast and we already have 98 people registered, which is a great start,” he said.

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell (at front) with (L-R) Robin Aarons, Kris Martin, Rob Molhoek and Michael Eklom preparing for The St Vinnies Sleepout at Cbus Stadium. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

“However, we need more and I’m appealing to leaders in our business and community to join Team Southport.”

Mr Molhoek said his personal goal this year was to raise $20,000.

“This is our fourth Vinnies CEO Sleepout on the Gold Coast and so far, we’ve raised a total of $1,46 million,” he said.

IN PICTURES: VINNIES CEO SLEEP OUT

“All funds stay here on the Coast and go toward Vinnies’ Cornerstone Project which supports their campaigns against homelessness.

“The first year, we bought a property in Hicks St, Southport, which is now a counselling centre and has the capacity for proposed redevelopment for emergency accommodation.”

The MP said funds raised from the second and third sleepouts had been allocated for two projects.

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell (at front) with (L-R) Robin Aarons, Kris Martin, Rob Molhoek and Michael Eklom preparing for The St Vinnies Sleepout at Cbus Stadium. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

“The aim is to redevelop the site we bought in 2016 into a six-unit block to house women on the street, who are over the age of 60, and the development of multi-house emergency accommodation in Allied Dve, Arundel,” he said.

MAJOR COAST HOMELESSNESS PROJECT DELAYED

Mr Molhoek stressed that all funds raised from the sleepout would go into bricks and mortar.

This is his fifth year as a sleepout ambassador and he said he had always felt very strongly about helping the community, particularly the homeless.

Other local ambassadors are business people Colin Wheeler, Lorraine Lovatt and Karen Phillips.

To register, visit ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/teamsouthport.

“If you don’t fancy a night in the cold at Cbus Super Stadium on June 20, you may like to donate and help me reach my 2019 target by visiting ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/rob-molhoek/gold-coast,” Mr Molhoek said.