Rough night raises record breaking donation for homelessness
CEO’s five-year effort for Vinnies passes the half million dollar mark
Leading Australian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Chris Christofi has raised $250,000 for people experiencing homelessness, in the process achieving a personal record-breaking goal as part of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout taking place at the Port Melbourne Timber Yard last night.
This was the fifth year running that Mr Christofi, the founder and CEO of property investment and finance group Reventon, has slept rough as part of the Vinnies event, his $259,110 fund raising effort this year taking his combined total over the five years to more than $550,000.
He now plans to build a house with the funds raised and auction it off, giving all proceeds to St Vincent de Paul.
An ecstatic Mr Christofi said with the money raised, Vinnies will be able to deliver three mobile kitchens, increase homelessness services at Ozanam House and Quin House by funding almost 50 extra beds and wraparound support for those needing accommodation.
The funds will also help fund volunteer-run services continue to provide food, petrol, utilities support and other material aid.
“Homelessness can happen to anyone; it can be nothing more than an unfortunate set of circumstances. I experienced financial hardship in the early days of my career and I’m acutely aware that it could easily have been me if I didn’t have the support of my family,” he said.
“I’m proud to have completed my fifth CEO Sleepout and am already setting donation goals for next year.”
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is a one-night event over one of the longest and coldest nights of the year.
Hundreds of CEOs, business owners as well as community and government leaders sleep outdoors to support the many Australians who are experiencing homelessness and people at risk of homelessness.
Each CEO Sleepout participant commits to raising a minimum amount of funds to help Vinnies provide essential services to the people who need them.
In 2021, the Vinnies CEO Sleepout raised over $9.3 million for people experiencing homelessness and people at risk of homelessness.
Chris Christofi’s fund raising effort since 2018
|
Year |
Target |
Raised |
Placed in Victoria |
Placed Nationally |
|
2018 |
$40,000 |
$40,185 |
3rd / 300+ CEOs |
12th / 1,462 CEOs |
|
2019 |
$60,000 |
$60,564 |
2nd / 330 CEOs |
9th / 1,628 CEOs |
|
2020 |
$80,000 |
$82,177 |
2nd / 254 CEOs |
6th / 1,555 CEOs |
|
2021 |
$100,000 |
$113,173 |
2nd / 206 CEOs |
4th / 1,613 CEOs |
|
2022 |
$250,000 |
$259,110 |
2nd / 169 CEOs |
2nd / 1338 CEOs |
|
Total 2018 – 2022 |
$555,209 |
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Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.