Execs from Lenovo, Microsoft, Datacom, RXP and Sententia sleep rough in Sydney for charity

A contingent of 350 Sydney CEO's descended on the SCG to pitch cardboard shelters and sleep rough for one night to get a glimpse into homelessness and raise money to fight the predicament faced by more than 100,000 Australians.

CRN caught up with leaders in the local IT scene who took up the challenge.

Matt Codrington, managing director, Lenovo Australia and New Zealand

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"I got involved with the CEO Sleepout because it caught my attention as an opportunity to participate in a great cause, not to mention a nice way to reconnect with old peers. My initial involvement also coincided with an increasing focus on Lenovo’s local corporate and social responsibility initiative: to let philanthropy get personal. I’m returning for my fifth consecutive year as I find the CEO Sleepout fulfilling on a personal level. It’s a great initiative that the whole company gets involved with."

The Insentra executive team:

Chief technology officer Itzik Gur

"When I saw the stats on homelessness, such as 13% being children under the age of 12 or 44% being women I knew we had to do something to change this. CEO Sleepout seemed the right choice as it gave me an opportunity to experience, even if only briefly, what the homeless go through each night and for us to raise funds and awareness to make a difference."

Director Steven Boi 

"I have been blessed throughout my life and homelessness is a preventable tragedy that I know little about. Participating in the CEO Sleepout not only allows me to raise money to ease the suffering of the homeless but importantly may give me a small appreciation for what it is like not to have a safe haven at night."

Chief executive Ronnie Altit

"What inspired me to participate is the opportunity to experience what 105,000 people experience nightly and to put my body where my mouth is. Homelessness is a terrible thing in a first world country like ours and one night out in the cold for me is a small gesture to raise funds for such an important social issue."

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Jon Evans, chief executive, Enablis

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"This is my fifth consecutive year participating in the CEO Sleepout. 

"I am determined to do whatever I can personally, to help Vinnies fight the homeless crisis. Getting behind this fundraising initiative is one thing I can do, and I know that every dollar helps. Having been involved over the last few years, I have been able to get a deeper understanding of the problem. With over 105,000 homeless people in Australia, the statistics continue to shock me.

"Unfortunately, this issue is only getting worse, so having the chance to raise more awareness is also a good reason to be part of the whole initiative."

The cardboard shack campground taking shape on the pitch of the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Noel Allnutt, co-founder, Solista

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"It’s important to find solutions that ensure people receive fair and equal treatment and an opportunity to live a better life.  We are very fortunate in the IT channel to great benefits and it's vital we give back where possible."

Gareth OReilly, zone president for Australia and New Zealand, Schneider Electric

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"I've been participating in this event for three years.

"Through the Schneider Electric Foundation we focus on programs that provide access to energy, while folk who fall through the cracks of society into homelessness here in Australia are often denied this necessity that so many of us take for granted.

"With the great support and fundraising initiatives of the Schneider Electric team, I return each year to ensure we raise awareness and to assist in some small way to this noble cause."

Gerry Tucker, managing director, Nice Australia and New Zealand

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"Homelessness is a huge problem that affects families and children. The sleepout not only helps raise funds and awareness but also reminds me of how lucky I have been in my life and how easy it would be to lose it all."

Robert McAdam, chief executive, Pure Hacking and his brother Ian McAdam, managing director, Symantec Australia

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"Hard times hit all of us at some point, but some have it harder than others. I hope my CEO Sleepout will contribute to making someone else’s life a little bit easier and help to promote a culture of caring for others," Ian said.

St Vincent de Paul NSW chief executive Jack de Groot addresses the CEO crowd during the presentation sessions.

CEO's make their way down to the cricket pitch to get ready for bed.

Mark Hilton, director NSW, Datacom

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"Homelessness is an issue that I think is greatly misunderstood. Anyone can fall on hard times and I think it's our measure as a society how we help those in need get back on their feet.

"While it will be great to raise money for an amazing organisation like St Vinnie's, the education and awareness of the issues spreading through our community is what inspires me to participate."

Simon Barnier, director, sales and marketing, Intalock Technologies

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"From an organisation perspective, one of our core values is related to respecting and caring for our customers and the community like we would expect the same. This is also a personal belief I have held throughout my career.

"This personal belief extends to helping others within the broader and my local community. I wanted to have a humbling experience in appreciating the conditions that over 100,000 Australians need to live with every night. Just one night in the cold will allow me to reflect on what more I can do, whilst raising money for the homeless."

Tony Heywood, VP and country manager, AGC Networks Australia

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"Homelessness is not about being a criminal or making poor decisions. It is often maligned and misunderstood. The homeless are not only the street sleepers, but a much broader community that, through circumstances either thrust upon them or outside of their control, cannot live a 'mainstream' existence. As a society, we judge them harshly.

"We have so much wealth and yet as a society, we cater so poorly to those in need. This is just a small way that I can raise awareness...and some much needed cash to help those less fortunate."

Some 350 business leaders strike a pose for the group photo.

Declan Monahan, digital business strategy architect, Microsoft

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"I was inspired to support the Vinnies CEO Sleepout because I realise how lucky I am to have a roof over my head and a good job. I feel an obligation to help those less fortunate than myself and #ceosleepoutau is a great way to do that."

Tony Vizza, cyber security practice director, Sententia

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"I got involved last year and we raised about $6000. It’s a great cause. Our office is in Surry Hills and we see homelessness every day; the problem is right in front of us and these people need our help, so I'll take one night of sleeping rough if that can help in any way."

Some CEOs slept on a damp patch of grass...

...While others were relegated to hard concrete

Kevin Brough, northern region group executive, RXP Services

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RXP Services’ northern sales group manager Paul Stewart and NSW and ACT practice manager for RXPEngage Wayne Cottis

Click here to visit Paul’s donate page

Click here for visit Wayne’s donate page

RXP Services' Kevin Velovski, NSW practice manager, and NSW RXP Develop practice manager Dan Ward

Click here to visit Dan’s donate page

Click here to visit Kevin’s donate page