The event, on August 8, invites locals to spend a night on the streets of Deniliquin’s CBD to raise funds to combat these problems and raise awareness about homelessness.
Participants will sleep in swags, sleeping bags, cardboard boxes and/or blankets on the pavement outside the shops along Cressy St, between Napier and Edwardes Sts.
Vinnies group facilitator Tamara Sefton said homelessness is often perceived to be a metropolitan problem, but in fact a significant proportion of people experiencing homelessness are in regional, rural and remote Australia.
‘‘The risk of homelessness in rural and remote areas is extremely high due to a greater likelihood of low incomes, high living costs and poor housing relative to regional and metropolitan centres. Homelessness is an issue in our area,’’ Ms Sefton said.
‘‘We hosted our first Community Sleep-Out in Deniliquin last year and we were humbled by the enormous community response. We had 30 people attend and we raised in excess of $18,000 which was all distributed to support local families experiencing financial hardship.
‘‘This year we would love to see more people join us to raise awareness for this serious, relevant and local issue.’’
Ms Sefton said all funds raised from the Deni Community Sleep-Out will be donated to the Deniliquin St Michael’s Conference Centre to be used in the local area.
‘‘Our local conference assists people in the region who are experiencing financial hardship. This assistance takes on many forms such as vouchers to assist with electricity bills, assistance with rental arrears in exceptional circumstances, food support and affordable clothing, footwear and household needs,’’ she said.
‘‘Last year the small community of Deniliquin managed to raise more funds than many other larger regional and city centres. We were the second highest earners in New South Wales with only Greater Western Sydney earning more.
‘‘This in itself was a true show of community spirit and humbled all of us here at Vinnies Services and this year we would love to show them all what we are really made of.’’
Free tea, coffee and warm soup will be served at the kiosk from 8pm until 10pm and free entertainment will be provided on the night.
Due to insurance reasons this event is only open to persons aged 18 years or over.
To sign up for the event, go to https://www.communitysleepout.org.au/deniliquin, select ‘register to sleep out’ and follow the prompts to set up your individual Sleep-Out page.
For more information contact Tamara Sefton on 0491 056 994 or tamara.sefton@vinnies.org.au.
■ If you are experiencing or at risk of homelessness or need support, contact Vinnies Services on 5881 7411 or visit their office at 74 Wellington St, Deniliquin.