Chris West, CEO Zoos SA, Maria Fidge, CEO Common Ground, and Santos CFO Andrew Seaton at the sleepout
Andrew Seaton, Santos’ Chief Financial Officer, participated in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout held at the Adelaide Zoo recently, raising a total of $9,336, including almost $3,500 of employee donations.
The event challenged business and community leaders to experience homelessness first-hand for one night, raise money, and change social opinions on this serious issue.
Some 82 CEOs participated in the Adelaide sleepout and almost 1,000 around Australia raising over $4 million to date.
Andrew said heavy showers and wind tested the cardboard constructions, but it wasn’t too cold so he managed to get some sleep.
“I met a bunch of very interesting people, including some who have been homeless which really makes you stop and think. It was a worthwhile experience.”
Staff also set up a stall in the Santos Centre lobby last Thursday to take donations totaling more than $650 from employees on their way to work.
All money raised has gone towards new projects and existing services, and allowed Vinnies to expand its programs to assist the homeless through crisis accommodation, domestic violence support and access to counselling, life and occupational skills, legal advice and education.
Andrew’s participation complements Santos’ major partnerships with Common Ground, where Santos has funded accommodation and services in Adelaide and Port Augusta to help break the cycle of homelessness, and Adelaide Zoo, where Santos has helped establish the Santos Conservation Centre, a community space to raise awareness about nature conservation issues.
>> You can still donate to Andrew's fundraising for Vinnies here.
About St Vincent de Paul Society
St Vincent de Paul Society's 40,000 members and volunteers work hard to assist people in need and combat social injustice across Australia. Internationally, the society operates in 130 countries and has more than 950,000 members.
A significant part of the society’s work includes helping those affected by the various stages of homelessness through accommodation services, refugee, asylum seeker and migrant service, mental health support, and home visitation.
Nearly half of Australia’s 105,000 homeless people are women and about 30% are children. The most common reasons for homelessness are family breakdown, unemployment, drugs, alcohol and domestic violence.
Filed under:
Employee achievements, Health, South Australia