NSW: Thousands sleep out in freezing conditions

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-1999
NSW: Thousands sleep out in freezing conditions

More than 20,000 people across Australia slept outside in last night's chilly conditions as
part of the Winter Sleepout to help the homeless.

The event raises money for city missions thoughout Australia to help the homeless and
disadvantaged.

In Sydney, 1,500 girl guides camped out at Taronga Zoo, while thousands more crammed the
Opera House forecourt for the sleepover and a rock concert.

Participants in the event, organised by Mission Australia and independent missions across
Australia, are given only soup and a bread roll for dinner, to help them understand how
homeless people survive.

Among the other sleepout groups were 300 participants at Adelaide Jail as well as Boggo
Road Jail in Brisbane and Fremantle Prison in Perth.

About 7,000 people across Victoria gave up their beds to doss down at football ovals,
community centres, backyards and parks as well as an organised gathering at Melbourne Zoo.

Another 800 slept the night at the Newcastle Showgrounds with smaller groups gathering at
Launceston in Tasmania and regional centres including Wollongong and the NSW Hunter Valley.

More than $500,000 is expected to be raised from the event.

AAP RTV nd/rat

KEYWORD: SLEEPOUT (SYDNEY)

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