ROUGHING IT: Southern Riverina Youth Support Services staff (from left) Deb Longhurst, Sandra Bishop and Tamara Te Huia prepare to spend Friday night in their “street swag” for the Griffith Winter Sleepout. Picture: Anthony Stipo
A TEAM of local ladies will find out what it’s like to sleep out in the cold when they brave the Griffith Winter Sleepout on Friday night.
The staff of Southern Riverina Youth Support Services (SRYSS) has signed up for the event in a bid to raise awareness of homeless people in the area.
The sleepout, at Griffith Showgrounds, will also raise funds for local homeless services, including SRYSS, the Salvation Army and Griffith Women’s Refuge.
Some money will be put aside to set up a mobile soup kitchen in the city.
SRYSS executive officer Deb Longhurst said dealing with homeless young people firsthand was all the incentive she needed to become involved in the event.
“We deal with young people and their families,” Ms Longhurst said.
“We get to see them when homelessness is imminent and look at intervention before it occurs.
“Young people who come to us have usually been couch-surfing or sleeping outside and some just don’t have a safe place to go.
“This cause is one we are very passionate about and it’s important we get the awareness out there.”
On Friday night, Ms Longhurst and her staff will have to draw straws for the use of their “street swag” – a
canvas swag created especially for homeless people.
The minimum temperature forecast is 3 degrees.
Event registration is available through Mission Australia’s website or by searching for “Griffith Winter Sleepout” on the web.
Entertainment will be provided on the night as well as a
barbecue dinner and breakfast.
