Melbourne entrepreneur and long-time Vinnies ambassador Chris Christofi has raised $400,000 in this year’s Vinnies CEO Sleepout, bringing his lifetime total to more than $1.2 million and making him the highest fundraiser in the event’s national history.
Now in his eighth year of participation, Christofi continues to lead by example – sleeping out in the cold to raise awareness and funds for Australians experiencing homelessness.
The $400,000 raised this year alone will help provide over 130,000 hot meals and more than 5,000 safe beds, alongside critical case management and support services.
“I don’t do this for records or recognition,” Christofi said. “I do it because I’ve seen the difference it can make. If one person gets off the street and back on their feet, that’s worth every minute in the cold.”
Christofi, founder of property investment advisory firm Reventon, is now officially the highest fundraiser in the CEO Sleepout’s 20-year history. He said the overwhelming generosity of everyday Australians, clients, businesses, and supporters has been the true driver of the campaign’s impact.
“This isn’t about one person – it’s about community. We’ve got a long way to go, but I know that if we keep turning up, we can help thousands more,” he said.
The statistics paint a grim picture:
- More than 256,000 Australians are sleeping rough on any given night
- One in four is a child
- Three in five are women
- Women over 55 are the fastest-growing group at risk
- Nearly one million Victorians are currently facing housing insecurity
Funds raised through the Vinnies CEO Sleepout go directly to crisis accommodation, food, health services, counselling, and pathways to long-term housing for those who need it most.
