Albany’s Big Sleepout sets $50,000 fundraising target to help locals battling homelessness

The Albany community will rug up and sleep out next week in an effort to raise $50,000 for frontline services supporting people battling homelessness. Not-for-profit organisation Albany Community Foundation will host its seventh Big Sleepout at the Agricultural Society Exhibition Pavilion on August 27. Families and businesses will take part, with the choice to sleep inside the pavilions or outside on the grass, to raise money for the Albany Community Homelessness Fund. The fund provides immediate support to local organisations to help community members in crisis and work towards eradicating homelessness. Last year’s fundraiser brought in more than $35,000 with more than 150 participants. This year’s event is on track to crack the record, with more than $29,000 already raised. ACF event coordinator Stacey Murnane said homelessness did not just mean sleeping rough. “Many homeless people are staying with other households — couch surfing, staying with friends or relatives — or in boarding houses and supported accommodation,” Ms Murnane said. “On average there are approximately 9595 people state-wide experiencing homelessness tonight in WA, 19 per cent of them will be aged between 25-35 and shockingly 15.6 per cent, or approximately 1493, are under 12 years old.” This year’s event is putting a spotlight on the prevalence of youth homelessness, with Albany Youth Support Association representatives set to share their experience helping young people at their refuge. ACF and Pivot Support Services representatives will also speak about their work. The event will start at 5pm with a smoking ceremony and welcome to country by Harley Coyne at 7pm. AYSA’s music students and the Great Southern Grammar Band will provide entertainment, with hot meals from the Rapid Response Team. Ms Murnane said donations could be made directly to sleepers or the wider cause. To register or donate, visit bit.ly/3BWfI93.