Participates in CEO Sleepout.
Fujitsu General Australia managing director, Philip Perham has spent a night experiencing what it’s like to be homeless in Sydney with support from customers, staff and suppliers,
As part of the 2018 Vinnies CEO Sleepout, Perham joined more than 320 business, community and government leaders at White Bay Cruise Terminal on one of the coldest nights of the year.
“To participate with over 300 other individuals, who gave up their night to experience what it was like for one night to sleep on the streets, was a really sobering exercise,” Perham said.
“We heard from a number of different people through direct group sessions and presentations, on how they had fallen into homelessness and more importantly, how they had overcome their challenges to get their lives back on track with the support of Vinnies.
“What struck me most, was that these people were normal people, who through circumstances beyond their control, found themselves facing life on the streets and often this included wives, partners and children.
“What I learnt was that my view of a homeless person was very narrow, and that this situation could happen to any one of us or our immediate circle of family and friends. It made me appreciate what I have and not to take it for granted. And it also showed me how a network of supportive people can make a huge difference to someone’s life.”
Philip Perham’s personal fundraising page is open until the end of August 2018 and donations can be made via https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/ceos/nsw-ceos/philip-perham/