Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek is challenging businesses, leaders and the community to help those without a home, sleeping rough, or are at risk of becoming homeless.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek is challenging business CEOs and community leaders to help tackle homelessness with his second annual Lights Out Sleepout.

On Thursday 18 July, Mayor El-Hayek will bunker down at Belmore Sports Ground to raise money for Mission Australia, Maronites on Mission and Brothers in Need.

Mayor El-Hayek said he wants leaders to join him and experience what it is like to sleep rough on a cold winter’s night, or to dig deep and support the event by donating.

“I hope we can all come together to raise awareness and much needed funds for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

According to the latest statistics, more than 120,000 Australians experience homelessness. Canterbury-Bankstown alone has experienced a 10 per cent jump in homelessness from 2021-2023.

“Thousands of men, women, young people and children forced to ‘rough it out’ on the streets, ‘couch surf’, seek shelter in a car or rely on temporary and insecure accommodation,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

“A heartbreaking situation that I encourage each of us to consider when we return to our warm homes at night while others face harsh conditions out on the street.”

Last year’s inaugural sleepout raised more than $30,000 for vital services to help those in need across our City and Mayor El-Hayek aims to do the same again this sleepout.

“I know that our passionate community members and determined businesses can come together to repeat, or even better, last year’s amount.”

The Mayors Lights Out Sleepout will take place on Thursday 18 July from 7pm-7am.

For more information, visit cb.city/MayoralSleepout2024