Salvation Army North East Youth Services’ Jim Gow and ultra-runners Peter Ralph and Vic Bovalino are gearing up for two massive events that will raise money and awareness to fight homelessness locally.
Photo by
Bree Harding
Sleeping outdoors on a crisp autumn night with a sheet of cardboard for a mattress doesn’t sound conducive to a good night’s rest.
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But that’s the point.
It’s the sad reality many of our Goulburn Valley residents face night after night.
A sleepout titled Under the Same Stars is an initiative Salvation Army North East Youth Services is challenging managers, chief executives and and the general public to join in Shepparton, in April.
If you’re familiar with Sleep at the ’G or Vinnies CEO Sleepout events in metropolitan events, you’ll have some idea of what it’s all about.
The events raise homelessness awareness, and, equally importantly, funding to tackle the rising crisis.
“This is a first for us, but we know the appetite is there,” Salvation Army NEYS youth participation worker Jim Gow said.
“We are aware that people want to help but aren’t always sure how.
“This is a great opportunity to not only help, but to network with others and experience what many experience each and every single day.
“Think of it as a networking event with a purpose.”
Besides its regional location, what sets the upcoming local event apart from its similar city events is that all of the money raised will stay where it’s raised to ensure a direct impact on the situation in our area.
“It’s important that the funds stay locally for us,” Mr Gow said.
“Many fundraisers send money to different areas; however, this money is raised by locals to stay local.”
A side event that raises money for the same cause will coincide with Under the Same Stars, with some local runners planning to finish an epic 100-mile (161km) run at the sleepout.
Shepparton ultra-athletes Peter Ralph and Vic Bovalino are planning to run for around 18 to 20 hours straight to complete their 100 Miles From Home challenge, timing their arrival back in Shepparton sometime during the Wednesday night event.
Shepparton runner Peter Ralph is training to run 161km in the 100 Miles from Home event that will finish during the Under the Same Stars sleepout in April. He is pictured here during a 100km Surf Coast running event.
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Contributed
“We have run 100km events before and we wanted to take the next step when it came to distance running,” Mr Ralph said.
“This has been in our minds for a while, and why not raise funds for a worthy cause by doing it? Everybody wins.”
The 12-hour sleepout will put homelessness statistics for under-25-year-olds in the spotlight.
Speakers will explain where the fundraising money will be used and run exercises in simulating budgeting when earning Youth Allowance while touching on the challenges that brings.
Guest speakers will share their personal experiences with homelessness.
More details will be released as the event draws closer, but Mr Gow has suggested activities will finish up around 10.30pm when people can then attempt to sleep in the footwells of the stands at Deakin Reserve.
“The expectation is to sleep; however, bottomless coffee will be provided,” he said.
“The idea is that this is a semi-simulation. People are sleeping rough and working, it happens all the time.
“How well do people function? We’ll see. It only adds to the experience.”
Under the Same Stars will start at 6pm on Wednesday, April 16 and continue until 6am the following morning, Thursday, April 17.
It is a fully supervised and drug-, alcohol-, smoke- and vape-free event.
Entry is with a prepaid ticket only.
∎ Tickets are available for chief executives, VIPs and the general public here.
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