10.10.10 Sleepout a success

Left to Right:
 T.Hall, D.Petsalis, K.Hussey, M.Arbib

More than 250 Sydneysiders joined Mission Australia CEO Toby Hall and the Federal Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness, Senator the Hon Mark Arbib, at Centennial Park on Sunday for the 10.10.10 Sleepout.

Rugged up to brave the cool night, Mission Australia supporters raised over $65,000 for services providing crisis care, transitional or medium-term accommodation for young Australians in need.

Everybody slept out to mark World Homelessness Day and support young people close to or experiencing homelessness and the services that work tirelessly to help them.

Senator Arbib went one step further than most and “slept rough” outside in the elements as many young people do every night.

"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,” he said.

Joining Minister Arbib and Toby Hall was HRX Chairman Katrina Leslie and Missionbeat Manager Daniel Petsalis.

“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,” said Mr Hall.

Missionbeat Manager Daniel Petsalis was thrilled with the support: "It was a fantastic event for raising awareness of the issue - since Sunday I’ve been swamped with calls from participants who want to learn more about supporting youth homelessness services through volunteering or donations."

Mission Australia is very grateful for the generous support of event partner HRX and a host of local contributors who covered all catering and costs for the event.

For further information please visit www.hrx.com.au/101010sleepout  

Minister for Homelessness to sleep rough for a night

10.10.10 Sleepout on World Homelessness Day – Sunday 10 October 2010

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