Thomas Carr College students will sleep rough for one night next month to get a small glimpse into the struggles homeless people face.
The school is hosting its seventh annual Winter Sleep Out on July 20, with more than 100 students across years seven to 12 expected to take part.
Thomas Carr principal Andrew Watson said the annual fundraiser was inspired by the St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout, which Dr Watson participated in last week.
Similarly, all funds raised through the Thomas Carr fundraiser will go to St Vincent de Paul.
“It’s usually a very cold night. The students sleep out in the gym and there’s no heating, so they do get to experience what it’s like for a homeless person not to have shelter,” Dr Watson said.
“They have a very basic meal for dinner – what we usually do is have the St Vincent de Paul soup van call around and the students would have the same sort of soup and bread that they provide for those in need.
“The rationale behind it is students can experience what it is that a homeless person experiences, develop some empathy.
“They’ll eventually become the decision-makers and hopefully will be able to resolve this homelessness problem that we experience.”
