Australian Government Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness, Senator The Hon Mark Arbib, will join hundreds of other brave souls by taking part in a mass sleep-out in Centennial Park this weekend to raise awareness and funds for Mission Australia’s youth homeless services.
The 10.10.10 Sleepout starts at 5pm on Saturday 9 October and finishes at 9am on Sunday 10 October and involves participants bedding down underneath the stars in Centennial Park.
The 10.10.10 Sleepout is an initiative of the Sydney-based company HRX, through its HRX Giving program http://www.hrx.com.au/.
Minister Arbib said the sleepout was a fantastic opportunity for the community to show their support for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
"It's incredibly hard to imagine being a young person without a place to call home – a place that most people find to be a strong source of comfort and stability,” Senator Arbib said.
“I encourage all to throw their support behind this event, whether it be by donating funds, busking to attract donations or sleeping out in the beautiful Centennial Park.
"I also applaud the fantastic work that Mission Australia does to support disadvantaged young people – they are passionate people making a difference to young peoples' lives."
Joining Minister Arbib will be Mission Australia’s CEO Toby Hall and HRX Chairman Katrina Leslie.
“On any given night in Australia, almost 105,000 men, women and children are homeless with a staggering 43 per cent aged under 25 years,” says Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall.
“Youth homelessness is becoming increasingly evident in Sydney. The 10.10.10 Sleepout will make a valuable contribution to helping us meet that need. We sincerely appreciate the support of the Minister at this event and we encourage Sydneysiders to also get behind it.”
HRX Chairman Katrina Leslie says, “Given the magnitude of youth homelessness, we decided to direct our 2010 HRX Giving program towards raising funds for Mission Australia’s youth homeless services – and we thought we’d invite the rest of Sydney to join us.”
Registered sleep-out participants raise funds by organising sponsorship from family and friends. Participants are allowed to bring a tent or sleep under the stars – whichever they prefer.
All money raised will go to Mission Australia’s services providing crisis care, transitional or medium-term accommodation and essential support for young Australians in need.
For further information and to register please visit: www.hrx.com.au/101010sleepout
For interviews with Senator Arbib contact: Sean Sammon on 0417 137 419
For media inquiries re the 10.10.10 Sleepout contact: Paul Andrews 0409 665 495
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