Across the state a record of more than $250,000 has been raised with nearly $30,000 of that coming in from the Armidale event, and donations are still being made.

More than 220 participants took part on the night of Friday, August 27 with funds raised supporting local Vinnies services and programs in Armidale, Albury, Central Coast, Deniliquin, Dubbo, Maitland, Murrumbidgee, Southern Highlands, Tweed Heads, Wagga Wagga and Western Sydney.

"It was a great result overall and we were thrilled with our own local event," said Armidale-based Phil Donnan, who is the St Vincent de Paul regional director for North West NSW.

"The website will be left open for another four weeks for those still wanting to make a donation."

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Mr Donnan said there were seventeen registered participants for the Armidale event with at least another fifteen sleeping out last Friday night to support the cause. At 6pm a video conference was held to discuss the issues and local situation.

"We are very grateful for the wonderful support of the community for the Vinnies Community Sleepout this year through donations, encouragement and increased awareness of the issues," Mr Donnan said. "Especially in what is difficult circumstances for many, people have turned and assisted others that are experiencing homelessness or at high risk of homelessness.

"Thank you to everyone that donated and those businesses that also contributed to make a positive difference in the lives of others."

Mr Donnan said homelessness is often perceived to be a metropolitan problem, when in actual fact, a significant proportion of people experiencing homelessness are in regional, rural and remote Australia.

"The risk of homelessness in rural and remote areas is extremely high due to a greater likelihood of low incomes, high living costs and poor housing options relative to regional and metropolitan centres," Mr Donnan said.

All funds raised from the Armidale Vinnies Community Sleepout will go towards the Vinnies Start Fresh Community Connections Program.

The project aims to continue support and empower those engaged with Freeman House in Armidale to achieve their recovery goals.

"Your support of this project will assist people to re-engage with their local community, help individuals build a new, safe and healthy social network and assist people to establish a safe, secure and stable living environment for them and their families," Mr Donnan said.

"This funding will support sports registration, enrolment in hobbies arts and craft activities, attendance at theatre and other community events and excursions into the surrounding community."

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Originally set to take place as an in-person event, the rising number of COVID-19 cases saw the sleepout adapt to a virtual format with participants gaining an insight into homelessness and hardship at home in backyards, cars and couches while taking part in an online live-stream.

Jack de Groot, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO, was delighted by the outstanding result given the challenges faced throughout the state due to the coronavirus delta variant.

"We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support shown by everyone who took part and those who donated across the state," said Mr de Groot.

"The past few months have been the toughest test we have faced since the pandemic began last year; we will be able to assist many vulnerable people and families with food, clothing, household bills, accommodation and much more thanks to the funds raised."

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This record result is testament to the generosity of people willing to help one another in times of hardship, said Brooke Simmons, Vinnies NSW Vice President Social Justice.

"If people are struggling to get by, they can always turn to Vinnies for help on 13 18 12 in their times of need," Ms Simmons said.

In the past financial year, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW members assisted 35,000 people with $7.7 million in financial and material assistance. Approximately 49% of people seeking assistance were provided with food, while 55% experienced hardship with the cost of housing.

The NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout follows on from the record result of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, which raised a national total of $9.3 million in June.

Donations to the NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout remain open until the end of September. To donate, visit the Vinnies Community Sleepout website.

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