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THERE were some tired and sore CEOs in Brisbane this morning after spending the night sleeping on the cold concrete, with only a piece of cardboard as a mattress.
It was all for the Queensland edition of the Saint Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout, which this year involved more than 170 CEOs who collectively raised $732,000.
This year’s top fundraiser, Scott Flynn from Kenlynn Properties, contributed $38,750 to the total and says the experience brings home the reality of homelessness.
“It is just an unbelievable eye-opening experience how dramatic homelessness is and what it does to the body and mind,” says Flynn.
“My body and mind are shattered.”
It is the second time in three years he has been top fundraiser in Queensland.
“It is very different to normal fundraising events in that you are act experiencing what homelessness is all about, rather than simply writing a cheque at a gala.”
“You are living and breathing homelessness for 12 hours and it only brings home how devastating it is to be in that position. It is quite overwhelming.
“I have always been very conscious of homelessness in the community."
Kennlyn Properties Australia builds apartments in and around Brisbane and has been operating as a family owned business since 1963.
Making up the top five Queensland fundraisers were Flynn, Andrew Faulkner from Arrow Energy ($31,335), Dean Merlo from Merlo Coffee ($30,745), Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls ($25,040) and Rowland chairman Geoff Rodgers ($21,450).
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