UPDATE:
Maitland participants in the Vinnies Community Sleepout have slept their way to raising almost $25,000 overnight Friday.
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The Maitland event had set a target of $15,000 but by 8.30am on Saturday morning had already raised $24,963.52 and people can continue to give at vinnies.org.au/communitysleepout
The statewide event aims to raise funds for local services assisting people experiencing homelessness and hardship throughout NSW.
PREVIOUSLY:
Dust off the sleeping bag because the NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout is finally here.
The statewide event is taking place tonight and aims to raise funds for local services assisting people experiencing homelessness and hardship throughout NSW.
Participants will sleep out in their cars, couches and backyards, while tuning into a live-stream hosted by Nine and 2GB presenter Deborah Knight.
More than 165 participants have raised over $95,000 so far which will enable local Vinnies services and programs to provide assistance with food, clothing, crisis accommodation, financial aid and other support.
The organisation is aiming to reach a target of $140,000.
Figures from the most recent 2016 Census revealed that on any given night, in excess of 116,000 people nationwide have no permanent home.
In NSW the number of people experiencing homelessness increased by 37 per cent from 2011-2016 to a total of 37,715.
People can donate to the NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout and watch the live stream beginning at 7pm today at vinnies.org.au/communitysleepout
NSW Vinnies Community Sleepouts will be held in Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Central Coast, Deniliquin, Fred's Place - Tweed Heads, Maitland, Murrumbidgee, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga and Western Sydney.
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