Aged care bosses sleep out to help homeless

The heads of Western Australia’s two biggest aged care groups will sleep outside on winter’s longest night of the year to raise money for homelessness.

Bethanie boss Chris How and Amana Living chief executive Ray Glickman will join around 870 business and community leaders willing to brave the cold and experience a glimpse of the desolation that so many Australians face every day.

The Vinnies CEO Sleepout has been running since the year 2000 when 99 West Australian business and community leaders got involved.

This year 117 leaders will meet at the WACA Ground in East Perth, with their comforts limited to a sheet of cardboard and a sleeping bag.

The same will be happening at ten other locations around the country.

The latest figures presented by Homelessness Australia show almost 15,000 over-55s are homeless and sleeping on the streets. More than 2000 of that group are over 75.

“It is well known that the older age group is the one suffering the most severe housing stress across Australia, but I don’t think people realise the extent of homelessness in that age group,” Mr Glickman said.

“Our older generation deserves better.”

As part of an organisation that supports the ageing population, Mr How saw the sleepout as an opportunity to lend a hand to another vulnerable sector of the community.

“This is a wonderful cause and I hope together we can make a difference to thousands of Australian lives,” he said.

Mr How believes the incidence of homelessness for Western Australian seniors can be reduced with more affordable housing and care facilities. 

If you would like to make a contribution visit here and select the CEO of your choice. Alternatively, you can donate directly to the cause. 

Image: Amana Living CEO Ray Glickman, left and Bethanie CEO Chris How, right. CONTRIBUTED.