Leading from personal experience
As someone who experienced homelessness firsthand, being an ambassador for the 2025 Vinnies CEO Sleepout is deeply personal to me. When I was sleeping rough as a teenager, I didn’t know support programs like this existed. That’s why I’m committed to using my story to raise awareness about hidden homelessness and help break down the shame that often surrounds it. Homelessness can affect anyone - a colleague, a friend, a family member - and too often, people suffer in silence. Through this event, I want to start conversations and ensure more people know help is out there.
My journey hasn’t been an easy one. At 15, I found myself without a stable home, and for a time I was sleeping on floors or crashing with friends. I faced difficult family situations, left school early, and made choices I’m not proud of - but I also worked hard, found the right people to support me, and eventually built a career that led me to becoming CEO of ALLBIDS by age 30. I skipped a lot of what it means to be a teenager because I had to survive. Now, I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can give back and help others find their footing like I did.
To fellow business leaders: this isn’t just about sleeping outside for one night. It’s about standing together to show we care, and to take real action for people who have nowhere else to turn. If you’re not sleeping out but still want to support, I’m using our ALLBIDS.com.au platform to fundraise, with 100% of proceeds from donated goods going directly to the cause. Every dollar helps provide a warm bed, a hot meal, and the hope of a fresh start. If you’d like to donate or get involved, reach out to me at ben@allbids.com.au - I’d love your support.
To help break the devastating cycle of homelessness, I need your support. Will you help me to reach my target? Donating $100 can make a huge difference to people who need it most.
So far this year I helped provide
39
Individual support programs
104
Beds
416
Meals
As a Vinnies CEO Sleepout Ambassador
I have successfully welcomed 1 new leaders to join me,
and together, we have raised a total of $12495.04.
Funds raised over the years
Latest Donations
$126.62
Kol B
$125.18
Anonymous
$1.53k
Allbids Staff Match
$500
Mirko Milic
Well done Ben!
$263.75
Nbdesign Pty Ltd
$33.15
Liam Greenwood
$530
Gradys Transport
Awesome job with the CEO Sleepout! Happy to support your efforts.
$126.62
Pace It
$38.33
Todd Wilson
$106.12
Adam Mcdonald
$598
Allbids Auction Fundraise
$54.12
Jordyn
Good Luck man! An inspiring leader & absolute legend for sharing your story & getting involved in a good cause
$520.66
Dandi And Clara
Onya Ben!
$2.53k
Cusack's Trading Company
Well done Ben - Someone with conviction who leads by example. Vinnies are lucky to have you on board for a great cause.
$27.81
Catherina - Ehva
Go Ben!!! 👍👍👍
$1.03k
Hadyn Abel
All the best mate. Great bloke helping a great cause.
$1.03k
Rob Evans
Extremely proud of your efforts Ben. All best Rob
$316.50
David Sinclair
Hope they have TV so you can watch the Canadian F1 Race :) Great effort Ben.
$158.25
Jack Willis
$33.15
Gbros
$20
Daniel Abroguena
$126.62
Eleanor Cubis
Great work Ben!
$1,000
Luke Radford
Let’s share a sleeping bag
$126.62
Peter Munday
Great to see you getting involved in a great cause.
$126.62
Felicity Wilson-keys
I first heard of the CEO sleepout when I worked at Virgin Australia during the time of Paul Scurrah, a truly admirable CEO. At my age, I have been around the traps enough to be able to admire a good one. To be fair and transparent, I don’t work at Allies, I’m just an infrequent purchaser who receives email updates and often deletes them without reading past the headline to see if current auctions may be within my wheelhouse, so I can’t speak to what it’s like to work under you - but Benjamin, I admire that at whatever CEO salary you may attract, you’re not forgetting what it’s like for too many people who struggle to even have one decent meal, let alone having somewhere to sleep. I’m fortunate enough to be able to donate - even a little. I’m grateful that I can contribute on behalf of the only CEO who’s been open enough to share their own story openly, and is brave enough to do so through their marketing channels. *for removal from any possible publication follows* The unfortunate reality in Australia is that 90% of homelessness is related to ‘lifestyle’ these days. We don’t have a society under-privileged due to medical expenses (like the USA), or conflict etc. We have a society who can make a choice - you did, and it may have taken a helping hand. I personally have a dream of being able to help those who really want a chance to live a life. I would love to provide accommodation, meals, upskilling, job opportunities for those who truly want to stand on their own after the initial uplift or helping hand. I know there’s a homelessness epidemic, but I live by the ‘pass it forward’ ethos,You’re doing it, I hope only that the funds raised benefit people who take the chance they’re offered to change their lives - instead of feeding the current situation or lifestyle (I.e. know they can get a free meal or accommodation without effort). I’ve been through similar bad situations and to this day do not have the benefit of family due to choices I made and things that I did - and I’d help anyone to get back on their feet like I did, but I don’t want to just throw money at temporary solutions. I give my time and effort to the homeless, and to those less fortunate in other ways. I’d just like to know that my small donation can go to a more long-term strategy. If not this round, maybe next you can be the champion for donations going to a program rather than a cause. Sadly, property costs in Australia don’t allow the average Australian the opportunity to purchase even derelict properties to serve as a home base to build that kick-start for the folks who just need a break! Enough said - good job, glad you’re doing this and I can admire a CEO again (even if not the one I work my butt off for!). Keep up the good work, and if you have the funds, I have the plan to make a difference for those who truly want it. Either way my little donation may help you reach your goal. I hope your goal is met. I do hope all CEO sleepout goals are met, and that a few of the CEO’s get more than just a networking event experience out of the sleepout. Bittersweet message, yes - most CEO’s do it for promo purposes, so yes - I’m tainted, you’ve got the nerve to go outside of your own organisation to promote donations, so I’m uplifted (hence a donation). Apologies for the ups and downs in this message that was entirely optional to provide!
$54.12
Anonymous
$126.62
Anonymous
$316.50
Nyora Pty Ltd
$106.12
Eric
Great effort, well done Benji
$312.90
Sarah And Jay
$520.66
