Kelly urges rival CEOs to help tackle homelessness

Roosters CEO Joe Kelly has called on his counterparts across the game to join the fight against homelessness as he prepares to sleep out in Sydney next week.

Kelly, who has set himself a fundraising target of $20,000, will take part in the annual Vinnies CEO’s sleepout to raise awareness and vital funds in support of homelessness and housing services operated by the St Vincent de Paul Society.

He has received several donations from rival NRL clubs and colleagues across the sports industry but urged others in the game to take part in next year’s sleepout, which will mark the 20th anniversary of the initiative.

“Sydney is a beautiful city, but we also have a growing crisis in terms of homelessness,” Kelly said.

“It's only one night of the year, but it will be a small snippet into the lives of the 35,000 people that are homeless across NSW right now”.

“I encourage all CEOs and business leaders to get behind Vinnies and help break the cycle of homelessness.”

Kelly recently joined Vinnies CEO Yolanda Saiz and former Australian Test wicketkeeper Greg Dyer, who is CEO of Sydney Fish Markets, to help launch this year’s sleepout.

He will be among more than 300 CEOs who will sleep out next Thursday, June 20, from 5pm to 9am at White Bay Cruise Terminal in Rozelle, and locations in Newcastle and Wollongong.

This year’s event is focused on breaking the cycle of homelessness, with cost-of-living pressures and a shortage of social housing properties in NSW causing more people to sleep rough.

It is estimated that more than 120,000 people are experiencing homelessness on any given night across Australia, including 35,000 in NSW, which has experienced a 27% increase over the past decade.

The Vinnies CEO Sleepout sees chief executives, business leaders and community leaders across the country experience a night of sleeping out in winter to raise money for Vinnies homelessness services.

Funds raised from the event will support new projects and assist with the provision of existing homeless services.

It allows Vinnies to expand programs to assist people experiencing homelessness through crisis accommodation, assistance to obtain semi-permanent and permanent accommodation, domestic violence support and access to counselling, life and occupational skills, legal advice and education.

"With so many people in need, it's vital that the right kinds of support systems are in place to ensure that everyone has a safe and secure environment they can call home,” Kelly said.

"The much-needed donations through this initiative will help to give thousands of Australians the support they need."