Last month 60 Cornish College students and 11 staff swapped their warm beds for cardboard boxes when they took part in the Winter Sleep Out. The event has already raised $12,000, with more money set to come in. The funds will be used to buy Backpack Beds for homeless people through the charity Swags for Homeless.
Students also made 560 cheese and vegemite sandwiches on the night for the EatUp program, which feeds local children in our community who often go hungry.
The temperature plummeted to six degrees on the night, but the students thought the event was worthwhile. Year 7 student Flynn said he learnt that there are many causes of homelessness, so there is no easy solution to fix the problem.
“The Winter Sleep Out is important because we are helping others and raising awareness,” Flynn said.
“It was cold but fun, I liked sleeping out with my friends and talking around the fire about the problems and possible solutions of homelessness.”
Cornish College chaplain Jarrod Davies organised the event and said the money raised will buy more than 125 backpack beds – backpacks that roll out into an all-weather protected bed.
“It’s fantastic to see so many of our students and staff committed to helping others,” Mr Davis said.
“Sleeping out on a cold, wet winter evening is no mean feat, but everyone showed huge community spirit and wanted to live our motto and ‘make a difference’ for more than 125 people sleeping on our streets”.
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