Thank You for Supporting Jess and Nicky at the Salvos Sleepout

By Steff WillisMonday 9 Sep 2024Station NewsReading Time: 2 minutes

Jess and Nicky might feel a little tired after a night spent sleeping rough, but thanks to your generous support, they’re feeling the love.

96five was proud to serve as the Media Sponsor for the fourth annual Salvos Sleepout, held at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds on Friday, 6th September.

This important event raised vital funds for The Salvation Army’s Brisbane City Women’s Homelessness Service, which provides accommodation, case management, financial assistance, counseling, meals, and advocacy for women in need.

Broadcasting the Drive Show live from the event, Jess found the experience both rewarding and eye-opening.

“Sleeping out in the middle of the city understandably made for a patchy night’s sleep, which made me realise that people experiencing homelessness must be chronically tired – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.” Jess said.

“The instability of sleeping rough or not having long-term accommodation would drain so much out of a person, let alone the difficult background circumstances that led to their homelessness in the first place.”

“That’s why getting behind homelessness service providers like the Salvos is so important – to help bring relief and hope to a person going through hardship and give them a little less to worry about.”

Meanwhile, Nicky from the Brissy Breaky Show hosted a panel discussion where guests shared powerful, firsthand accounts of the struggles faced by women experiencing homelessness.

“I loved the tangible atmosphere of care from our Brisbane community” Nicky said.

“One of the greatest things I will take away from the night was the advice from Jodi who found herself homeless fleeing domestic violence.

“I explained that when I have passed homeless in the Brisbane CBD, I wasn’t sure what I should do.  Her reponse was eye opening.  She said, sometimes the best thing you can do it just say hi and have a chat.  When you do that, it makes a person feel seen and loved.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the 96five community, over $6,000 was raised. This helped contribute to the event’s overall total of nearly $60,000 – funds that will go directly toward supporting women in crisis through the Brisbane City Women’s Homelessness Service.

We can’t thank you enough for your donations, encouragement, and prayers as Jess and Nicky stepped out and slept out to raise awareness for such an important cause.

It’s not too late to make a difference. Click here for more information and to contribute.