By Esther Lauaki
Thomas Carr College students will leave their custom comforts at home for a night to shed some light on Victorians doing it rough.
Students will sleep at the school gym next weekend as part of their own Winter Sleepout fundraising event.
Principal Craig Holmes led by example when he braved the chill at the Vinnies Sleepout on the rooftop of the South Melbourne Market, to raise money for the St Vincent de Paul Society, last month.
“It’s about raising awareness about homelessness in Melbourne,” Mr Holmes said.
“I was asked by our Social Justice group in the school if I would take part and it was with some trepidation that I agreed.
“It was freezing! All I had was cardboard to sleep on … it was a very authentic experience.”
He said he hoped that the event would change the students’ perspectives.
“You get up in the morning and you go home and have a hot shower … but there is definitely the guilt that others out there don’t have the same experience,” Mr Holmes said of his Vinnes Sleepout experience.
“The stereotype of who we see as homeless really has to change.
“People aren’t aware about who is affected.”
The money raised from the Thomas Carr College sleepout will go to Vinnies which provides a breakfast club program at the school.
The school has raised $2000 so far.
