• Launceston SleepOut

Three young people getting ready to join over 20 others sleeping rough in Launceston, Tasmania, tonight to raise money to address rising homelessness.

Tonight, the city of Launceston in Tasmania will have more than 25 additional people sleeping rough to those usually on the streets, including Mayor of Launceston Matthew Garwood.

For only the second time in Launceston, the Salvos SleepOut will be held on 3 August to raise funds for The Salvation Army’s Street 2 Home program and increase awareness of the realities of sleeping rough. The Salvation Army hopes to raise $150,000 across the state through the SleepOut initiative and is assisted in this by major sponsor Launceston City Council.

Aux-Lieut Roderick Brown ready to bed down. Photo courtesy Rod Thompson (The Examnier)

Launceston Corps Officer Auxiliary-Lieutenant Roderick Brown told The Examiner newspaper that approximately 250 to 300 people could be found regularly sleeping rough in Launceston.

“The volume of people approaching us for assistance is growing, and that illustrates that increasing number,” Roderick said.

Funds raised in the campaign will be directed to the Street 2 Home program, which operates across Launceston and Hobart.

Applicants to the SleepOut campaign must raise at least $100 to participate in the initiative, and over 25 people have signed up to participate this year in Launceston. The Hobart SleepOut will be held the following week, on 10 August.

– Kirralee Nicolle

Some information sourced from The Examiner newspaper.