The Lamson Paragon Group of Companies CEO Rodney Frost will be participating in the upcoming Vinnies CEO Sleepout, to further drive awareness for homelessness.
Frost said he will be supporting his 12th Vinnies CEO Sleepout by roughing it out in the cold on 18 June in his backyard. He has also raised over $2,700 for Vinnies Homeless Services to date.
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout began as a local community venture in Sydney’s west in 2006 and aims to not just service the homeless but also to bring about an end to homelessness in Australia.
Homelessness is an issue close to The Lamson Group as its founder spent time on the streets as a young man.
Frost said as a business, The Lamson Group continues to support those less fortunate event through these trialling times of managing the effects of COVID-19.
“I’ve struggled with asking people to support those less fortunate when we are all pushing our own financial limits. In saying that, as a business, we must continue to support those less fortunate. It’s the fabric of these challenges that have defined our values as a family and as a group,” he said.
According to Frost, in Australia, we have had over 570,000 people apply for the new JobSeeker program but if reduced to $550 a fortnight with unemployment still high, homelessness will be a bigger issue for Australia later this year and early next.
“No one knows what will happen with JobSeeker come the end of the year but what we do know is that unemployment with be higher than last year and homelessness will rise. I don’t expect any support financially this year considering COVID-19, however I do want to shine a light on the issue and the numbers,” he added.
In the 2016 Census, more than 116,000 people were estimated to be homes in Australia – 58 per cent were male and 21 per cent were aged between 25 and 34. In the ABS 2018 report, 20 per cent of those homeless were identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
“Your generous support and donations will not only provide immediate and emergency assistance but pathways to a brighter future,” Frost said.
Click here to support Frost and if you wish to nominate a CEO click here.
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