The MCG is Melbourne's holy ground for cricket and AFL, but for one night a year, it is also the site of a huge sleepover, as everyone from students to CEOs pack pyjamas, board games, scarves and beanies and sleep on a cardboard box to raise funds to combat youth homelessness.
For the last ten years, Melbourne City Mission (MCM) has asked people to camp out at the legendary stadium to get a taste of what more than 7,600 young people aged 12-24 are experiencing every single night in Victoria. And on May 16, the massive community event is happening again.
The money raised through this fundraiser and other donations help the MCM provide vital accommodation for young people who are couch surfing, sleeping rough or in other forms of unstable accommodation. On top of providing a safe place to sleep, the MCM also helps struggling youth build life skills that they might not have had the chance to learn.
In 2023, the collective efforts of everyone involved raised an incredible $780,000, which contributed to the construction of accommodation for Victoria’s homeless youth. This year, the goal is to go big and raise more than one million dollars.
On the night there will be live music, games, DJs, a fashion parade, singalongs, prizes and lots more. Registration is now open, and adult tickets are $75. So go on, gather a group of family, friends or colleagues and start raising money to do your bit to end youth homelessness. For more information, head to the website.