A cause worth losing sleep over
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
BY LERISSE SMITH
On a chilly April night in the regional Victorian town of Shepparton, a bunch of CEOs, VIPs and locals ditched warm beds, hot showers and plush sofas for cold grass and sleeping bags – all for a cause worth losing sleep over.
The Salvation Army North East Youth Services ‘Under the Same Stars’ Sleep Out fundraising event brought youth homelessness into sharp focus, highlighting an issue impacting many young people – and raised a record $46,000 to build youth transitional housing in the future.
“The amount we raised was truly incredible,” says Jim Gow, Youth Participation Worker at Salvation Army North East Youth Services.
“On the back of the 2025 event, it was a no-brainer for us to hold it this year. We are aware that people want to help but aren’t always sure how. This event is a great opportunity to not only help, but also to network with others and experience what many experience each and every single day. Think of it as a networking event with a purpose.
“Our youth services are thankful for the participation of the runners, the sleepers, the donors and the partners/sponsors that made this great event happen. Momentum from last year made this year’s event inevitable – and bigger.”
Sleeping bags and sleeping mats scattered all over the oval for the Salvos Under the Same Stars fundraiser.
More than 100 people rolled out sleeping bags, while 70 runners laced up for the April 15 event held at Deakin Reserve sports oval.
The concept was simple but powerful: to bring people together, give them a glimpse of the reality many young people face, and turn awareness of homelessness into action.
From 5pm to 7am, the oval became more than a sporting ground. It became a space for reflection, learning, and uncomfortable truths. Attendees heard firsthand accounts of homelessness, unpacked sobering statistics about under-25s, and took part in exercises simulating the tight constraints of living on the Youth Allowance and the challenges that it brings.
Every dollar raised will stay local, supporting young people in the very community that rallied behind them.
“It’s important that the funds stay local for us,” reflects Jim. “Many fundraisers send money to different areas; however, this money is raised by locals for locals. I’ve been involved in more than 70 events previously, but this is the biggest fundraiser I’ve been a part of.”
Running alongside the Sleep Out was ‘Miles From Home’, a grassroots endurance event inspired by last year’s remarkable effort from local runners, Peter Ralph and Vic Bovalino.
“We ended up running the 100 miles last year in under 22 hours, which was a massive personal achievement,” says Peter.
“But we wanted to create more of a community running event – something that the running community can be a part of, not just Vic and I. This has been in our minds for a while, and why not raise funds for a worthy cause by doing it? Everybody wins.”
This year, the challenge went even further.
The pair ran for 24 hours, joined by more than 70 runners who collectively tackled different sections of the 100-mile distance.
Behind the scenes, planning and preparation were no small feat, but the energy from the community carried it forward.
“We really encouraged the local running community to get behind this event and make it a win/win for all involved,” says Peter. “My business – Ray Dobson Real Estate – was proud to be partnering for this event and assisting in the preparation for a really great cause.”
A charity auction hosted by Shepparton Brewery will be held on 19 May as part of the Under the Same Stars event. Limited tickets of 100 people. Memorabilia, goods and experiences will be auctioned off, including a signed AFL jerseys (thanks to Shepparton Automotive Group), signed NBL jerseys, Shepparton art prints (thanks to Elise Gow Designs) and a $2000 advertising campaign with Triple M Goulburn Valley.
For more information, go to the website here
