ELEVEN team managers at AME Systems (Vic) in Ararat slept out to raise funds for ‘Swags for the Homeless’.
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The managers rose to the challenge put forward by the social club last Friday.
The leadership team set up camp on the lawns outside the plant from 5.30pm with family, friends and fellow staff joining in a barbecue to raise additional funds.
Team managers, in the spirit of the cause enjoyed the basics of soup and baked beans from the soup kitchen and then did their bit by sleeping out with the basics on a cool night.
A number spoiled themselves by bringing along their swags, however a few bravely took the challenge for what it was and slept in cardboard boxes.
With an early morning Saturday rise all involved enjoy a hearty bacon and eggs breakfast before heading off with a greater appreciation of the comforts of home.
The fundraiser raised more than $5,000 which will assist the charity to provide 50 lifesaving swag beds to give dignity to homeless people turned away from shelters.
The award winning charity was the winner of the 2011 Australian Human Rights award for best community organisation – Australia’s highest honour.
Leading up to the sleep-out the Social Club conducted a number of fundraising activities including a swag raffle which was supported by Lyal Eales in Ararat which generously donated a stretcher to go with the first prize of a swag.
“This fundraising activity was instigated by our Social Club who do a wonderful job in bringing the fun element into the culture of the business and are to be congratulated on getting the sleep-out up and going,” Managing director Nick Carthew said.
“President, Luke Bannister was the driving force to getting managers involved with the challenge to raise a minimum of $50 each.
“With the tremendous support of all the staff, family, friends and our external business associates the raising of more than $5,000 for such a worthwhile charity is amazing.
“Over many, many years AME Systems has strongly supported local and national fundraising causes.
“It would be hard to calculate in dollars how much we have raised and the sleep-out is another outstanding effort for our community.
“Through the success of this sleep-out ideas are already being thrown around to doing it again next year, get more staff involved and perhaps put the challenge out to other organisations in Ararat to get involved.”