Business executive Angelique Boileau, who experienced homelessness after World War II, will be participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout.This year's event aims to raise $900,000, which the charity says could provide more than 8,000 nights of shelter.
Despite facing displacement, Ms Boileau said her greatest challenge was being separated from her mother."I'd dream that someone would come and take her away again. To me, that was the most scary thing," she said.While Ms Boileau's experience of homelessness is in the past, the issue is one currently facing thousands of South Australians.
"If you have a little bit to spare, you should always, always be thinking about the less fortunate in your community," she said.Nearly a million South Australians spend some of their time volunteering but a new report finds a lack of time and not knowing how to get started are stopping people from donating their time.Generosity is an attribute she said she learned from her mother, and one she hoped to spread to other business leaders.
"The demand is great, so we would really like to see South Australians to get behind funding for the CEO sleepout."While Ms Boileau has previously bid up to $12,000 for a sofa at a previous sleepout, her offer for this year remains a closely guarded secret.Adelaide's rental market is tight. So why not convert vacant offices into apartments?'Less talk and more homes': Budget to pump billions into housing in pursuit of 1.