A record-breaking R26 054 869 was raised by the CEO SleepOut that took place in June this year.
Auditor BDO SA, the stakeholder accounting partner to The CEO SleepOut and The CEO SleepOut Trust, revealed the final figure today.
Ali Gregg, founder of The Philanthropic, which brought the CEO SleepOut concept and brand from Australia, has confirmed that the monies are being held by Girls & Boys Town (GBT) and were raised by the inaugural 702 Sun International CEO SleepOut held on 18 June.
She says this is the largest sum ever raised by a single South African charity event, while worldwide it is the largest amount of funds raised for any inaugural event.
“Accountability and transparency are key, and GBT will release details on the allocation of funds after consideration from The CEO SleepOut Trust and the appointed working group,” she adds.
“Everyone involved is thrilled to see an organisation like Girls & Boys Town receiving a donation of this size, knowing that GBT offers long-term, sustainable solutions and care to homeless and vulnerable children,” says Gregg.
“The CEO SleepOut illustrated the power of collective energy to show the true spirit of Ubuntu,” says Brett Levy, joint-CEO of Blue Label Telecoms, which contributed the highest donation of R540 000.
On the night of 18 June – with the temperature dropping to -3 degrees – 246 CEOs and business leaders donated R100 000.00 to be part of an organised experience of sleeping on a cold pavement for just one night, with only a sleeping bag and cardboard floor-covering.
In doing so, Gregg believes they have become powerful agents of change to drive social innovation in their own circles of influence.