Ray White Southbank gears up for 2025 Vinnies CEO Sleepout

Ray White Southbank is once again stepping up in the fight against homelessness, returning to the Vinnies CEO Sleepout on June 19 with an ambitious fundraising goal of $25,000.

The annual event, held on one of the coldest nights of the year, sees CEOs, business leaders and community figures sleep rough for a night to raise awareness and vital funds for Australians experiencing homelessness.

For Ray White Southbank’s head of property management, Alex Mees, last year’s experience was deeply moving.

“It was actually extremely confronting,” Alex told Southbank News.

I lost a couple of tears that night because it was very different to what I expected.

In 2024, the team raised around $18,000. This year, they’re aiming higher, hoping to surpass $20,000 and ultimately hit their $25,000 target.

To boost their efforts, the team has doubled in size, with Andrew Salvo, Michael Pastrikos, Seda Erdem, and Georgina Shanahan set to join Alex at the Sleepout.

“We loved the evening last year. We raised a lot of money for Vinnies, and this year we want to make even more of an impact,” Alex said.

The event offered the team a sobering glimpse into the complex and often invisible challenges faced by many Australians experiencing homelessness.

Listening to firsthand stories from people who had turned to Vinnies for support – whether for emergency accommodation, refuge from domestic violence, or access to basic necessities - it underscored the reality that homelessness can affect anyone.

“I just wasn’t aware how far it went and how many people it impacted,” Alex said.

With more than $6,000 already raised, the team is now ramping up its community outreach.

Plans include a front-of-office fundraising stall and in-house movie and games nights, with all proceeds going toward their Sleepout campaign.

Working in real estate, the team understands the fundamental importance of safe, stable housing - something Alex doesn’t take for granted.

“We’re from a place of privilege. We’ve grown up with roofs over our heads and good health,” she said.

“It’s kind of up to us to do what we can for those that haven’t had that sort of luck.”

With winter setting in, the urgency to act is growing stronger.

“We just can’t rely on the government to be fast enough. Vinnies are putting it straight back into the community,” she said.

“They’ve got housing options, they provide food, they’ve got soup vans that are driving around.”

“We’re all donating our time and some of our money toward this.”

“Help us help Vinnies – let’s see how many meals we can provide, beds we can provide, and get people the support they need.”

To donate to the Ray White Southbank team or learn more about the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, visit:

ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/raywhitesouthbank