Nerida Kong

With one night we can continue the great efforts before us.

I will be participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout 2026. I have personally experienced the compassion and humanity that the St Vincent de Paul Society offers. During a challenging period in my life, I reached out to Vinnies not for housing support, but because I needed someone to talk to. A kind human was there for me. The kindness, time, and understanding I was met with made a lasting impact on me.

That experience reinforced how vital organisations like Vinnies are, not only in addressing homelessness, but in supporting people through moments of vulnerability, isolation, and uncertainty. Homelessness can affect anyone, and often it is the presence or absence of support that makes the greatest difference.

By participating in the CEO Sleepout, I hope to give back to an organisation that showed me genuine care, and to help raise awareness and funds for the essential work Vinnies continues to do in our community. For me, this event is about empathy, connection, and leadership with purpose whilst continuing to stand alongside those who may feel unheard and helping ensure support is there when it’s needed most.