While Project Lighting chief executive Maryanne Gore has worked for decades to make homes brighter, she has also spent one night of the past seven years sleeping rough to shine a light on the complex issue of homelessness.
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On Thursday, the longest Canberra participant in the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout will again brave a harsh (and possibly rainy) winter's night to snooze outdoors with 110 other community leaders – this time outside Questacon.
Ms Gore has raised $16,000 for St Vincent De Paul over the years and is just $600 short of reaching this year's target of $3500.
"It feels great that I've actually done something worthwhile," Ms Gore said.
"I thought I could raise a lot of money getting sponsors for this kind of event rather than doing it myself, and CEOs have lots of contacts with other people so if we get together and make a newsworthy event then it promotes discussion and awareness."
Each year the sleepout includes a presentation by someone who has experienced homelessness, which Ms Gore said is always "amazing and inspirational".
"I always put myself in their shoes and wonder how on earth I would cope," she said.
Other CEOs set to hold their sleeping bag tight under the stars include Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, director of the Australian War Memorial Brendan Nelson and ACT Liberal leader Jeremy Hanson.
The latest census estimated the ACT had the second highest rate of homelessness in Australia, with 1785 sleeping on the streets, couch-surfing or turning to emergency accommodation on any given night.
Chief executive of the St Vincent de Paul Society of Canberra and Goulburn, Paul Trezise, hopes the sleepout will raise $450,000 to support those who have lost or are at risk of losing a roof over their head, including through the night patrol service that gives a warm drink and clothing to those in need.
This year, the event will coincide with 130 students from St John Paul II College sleeping out in support of their principal Catherine Rey who will be at Questacon.
"It's really important that kids think about this while they are young," Mr Trezise said.
"It gives them a practical idea of how they can help and an understanding that not everyone has the same advantages as they may have had living in such a beautiful and affluent city as Canberra."
