Soggy SleepOut Raises 90K for Homeless Youth!

Sleepers raised over $90K towards homeless youth in our annual Sydney SleepOut event as they braved wild winds and torrential rain in Centennial Park.

The group absolutely smashed their goal. “On behalf of the Property Industry Foundation’s Future Leaders Committee, I’m thrilled to share that we not only surpassed our target but raised nearly $90K at our flagship SleepOut event,” said Elizabeth Mackison, Submissions Manager at Taylor and member of our Future Leaders Committee.

On 16 November, 90+ industry leaders pitched their tents and camped overnight to raise funds for The Haven Project, braving wet, gusty and chilly conditions in support of our most vulnerable young people. Our target was $80K to fund building projects like Haven House South Dowling, a 19-bed facility in Darlinghurst which will offer apartment accommodation, communal areas, and specialised support programs for homeless teens.

“This was our first time participating in SleepOut and we didn’t know what to expect, however we had a great experience regardless of the rain, and it highlighted the importance of why we were doing this. This is definitely something we will look to do again next year and also encourage more people to get involved.”

Steve Ryan, Managing Director (Australia) Tactical Group

Our Top 40 Fundraisers were gifted a single-person tent to acknowledge their incredible fundraising efforts, and while this offered some protection from the elements during the night, young people on the streets are often turned away from overcrowded shelters. Kyzar Jing, NSW Beneficiary Committee Member, knows firsthand what it’s like to not have secure accommodation. He shared his lived experience of homelessness and disadvantage with the group, joined by the fantastic team from The Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Support Program who gave insight into their life changing programs.

The downpour of 15mm of rain during the evening only underlined the need for secure housing for young people who may not know where they’ll sleep from one night to the next. “Despite the rain this year, it provided a glimpse into the nightly challenges faced by homeless youth,” said Elizabeth.

“Whether in a tent, car, or the toilet block, we shared a fraction of their experience. This special occasion lets us come together, sleep out in solidarity with homeless youth, and enjoy ourselves—it’s my favourite Property Industry Foundation event.”

Elizabeth Mackison, Future Leaders member and Submissions Manager at Taylor

The SleepOut cemented new friendships and sparked new connections as participants toasted marshmallows over an open fire for campfire S’mores, played fun garden and board games to pass the time and enjoyed delicious warming bites from food trucks. “The property industry fosters a genuine sense of community, and this event allowed us to forge new connections and strengthen existing friendships through a shared commitment to ending homelessness, all while having a great time with yard games and toasting marshmallows,” said Elizabeth. “Join us next time!”

We would like to thank Centennial Park for the beautiful outdoor location, all our sponsors and the Future Leaders Committee who helped us make this night so special. We hope to see you and many more colleagues and peers from the industry again next year. Let’s hope for warm and dry conditions!