Estate agent Bondi Beach sleepout raises $130,000 for YOTS
Over 100 real estate industry professionals faced the winter chill at Bondi Beach on Monday, spending the night sleep on the sand to raise funds and awareness for Youth Off The Streets.
Damien Cooley of Cooley Auctions, who put together the initiative, had his initial expectations exceed, with 104 people registering for the event.
Hi initial total fundraising goal was also far surpassed, with it currently sitting at over $133,000.
Cooley and Youth off The Street’s Father Chris Riley have had a relationship for over 10 years.
There were a number of agencies that raised money as a team. Savills Real Estate is the current fundraising leader.
Rain on the day didn't get in the way of the sleep out going ahead and despite the unfavourable conditions, the attendees were in great spirits.
Cardboard boxes to sleep on were provided by Storage King Eastgardens, with some attendees also bringing swags.
Everyone made it through the night to be greeted the next morning with a bacon and egg roll from a BBQ trailer by Youth Off The Streets Volunteers.
Damien Cooley of Cooley Auctions and Youth off The Street’s Father Chris Riley have had a relationship for over 10 years.
Damien is a member of the Youth Off The Streets development committee and dedicates a lot of professional and personal time to the cause.
“The wind got up at about 3am but I think everyone had a pretty good sleep and it really was an iconic experience sleeping on Bondi Beach,” Damien said.
The success of the event has encouraged Damien to aim higher, with hopes of one year raising $1 million for Youth off The Streets and getting more of the industry involved.
“Next year we would really love all of the real estate agencies to really get behind and support the event by promoting it within their networks”.
“Youth Off The Streets is all about taking kids off the street and giving them a home and as agents and auctioneers, we put people in homes for a living!”
The Real Estate Sleep Out everydayhero donation page will be open until August 30, so it’s not too late to contribute to this great cause and help change the lives of youth in need.