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Sydney Roosters CEO Joe Kelly will be raising awareness and funds in support of homelessness and housing services in the 2024 Vinnies CEO Sleepout on June 20.

In its 19th year – which has seen $91 million raised nationally to support services run by the St Vincent de Paul Society – the Vinnies CEO Sleepout sees Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), business leaders and community leaders across the country experience a night of sleeping out in the cold to raise money for Vinnies homelessness services.

The 2024 event will look to focus on breaking the cycle of homelessness, an epidemic that has grown across Australia, particularly with the impact of cost-of-living pressures, with an estimated 35,000 homeless people in NSW alone, increasing by 27% in the last decade.

Mr Kelly, in his first year participating in the CEO Sleepout, sent a strong message ahead the 2024 Sleepout.

“This is a beautiful city but we also have a growing crisis in terms of homelessness,” Mr Kelly said.

“It’s only one night of the year, but it will be a small snippet into the lives of the 35,000 people that are homeless across NSW right now.

“With so many people in need, it’s vital that the right kinds of support systems are in place to ensure that everyone has a safe and secure environment they can call home.

“The much-needed donations through this initiative will help to give thousands of Australians the support they need.”