Manningham City Council’s Executive team got a glimpse of what life is like for homeless youths at this year’s Sleep at the ‘G event – and raised almost $2,000.

In its fifth year, the Melbourne City Mission initiative sees Melbournians exchange their creature comforts to ‘sleep at the G’ for one night and raise awareness and funds for youth homelessness.

Manningham City Council CEO Warwick Winn said even after the event, Council staff continued to donate and support the cause, collecting spare change around the office. 

“This shows and demonstrates the generous nature and how in touch with community issues Council staff are,” he said. 

“The final amount raised was more than four-times our initial goal!” 

This year was the first time anyone from Council’s executive team had taken part in the significant event. 

Every night across Victoria, more than 7,000 young people are affected by homelessness. 

“It is one of the most severe forms of disadvantage and social exclusion for a person and is especially frightening and traumatic for young people,” Warwick said. 

“The temperature dropped to single digits but it’s one night of the year for us to identify with what it’s like to sleep on the streets and make a difference.

“Council management felt it was important to be able to help those who might not be able to help themselves.”