Locals ready for another big night to combat homelessness at the Community Bank Albany Big Sleep Out

Organisers are gearing up for another year of the Community Bank Albany Big Sleep Out, the annual event to combat homelessness in Albany that’s aiming to raise more than $50,000.

This year about 80 sleepers from throughout the Albany community are set to take part in the sleep-out on August 30 at the Albany Agricultural Society western pavilion, with more than 200 attendees expected to attend the event in the evening instead of staying the night.

The night raises funds and awareness to combat homelessness, and gives the community the opportunity to get out of their comfort zones and get a small insight into the experience of more than 9700 West Australians who are homeless every night.

The annual event has been on the calendar for more than a decade, and Albany Community Foundation executive officer James Leiper said the event offered a critical fundraising opportunity for the Albany community to support their most vulnerable.

“We’re really hoping to beat last year’s achievements of $50,000 raised, which all goes to supporting those in our community who have fallen on hard times,” he said.

“It’s such an important event to raise awareness of homelessness in our region, which many aren’t aware is such a major issue.

“It also gives people a really tangible way of giving back and seeing how it’s possible to support those in need.

“At the ACF we aim to make it practical for people to give back, and the sleep-out is a good way to showcase this.

“It’s also about making the general community aware of the services available and also the different forms of homelessness, breaking down the stereotype of what a homeless person might look like and the challenges they face everyday.”

Funds raised will go to ACF’s homelessness fund, which provides key local organisations funding to support anyone needing quick and practical housing support.

This year’s Homelessness Week theme was Homelessness Action Now, aiming to highlight the need for urgent action to address the rising issue of homelessness across WA communities.

Tickets are available through the Albany Community Foundation website and will also be available on the night.

Donations can also be made through the website, with more than $17,000 already raised.