After fleeing domestic violence on the mainland and seeking help from family and not-for-profits, Cheesecake Shop owner Glenda Iles vowed to give back to the community.
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This year, she will spend a cold night in UTAS Stadium as part of the annual St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout to help raise funds and awareness for the plight of the state's homeless.
Mrs Iles said it was a very hard time finding her feet in Launceston.
"I had to go to an organisation here in town to ask for groceries, which was very embarrassing," she said. "But when I sat them down on my bench I realised that it was a good start."
"I vowed, there and then, that I would never let myself get into a situation like that ever again.
"I'm always now wanting to help ... I like to give to the community, because I feel like I'm giving back. They gave me so much and it's now my turn."
Alongside Mrs Iles will be 56 other chief executives and community leaders who will give up the comfort of their homes to experience what it's like to sleep rough in the cold Tasmanian winter.
Their participation will also provide much needed funds to ensure vital support services, such as Vinnies Van, can continue to run.
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Vinnies chief executive Lara Alexander said the event aimed to get the community to stop and think about homelessness in Australia.
"It's bringing awareness to the forefront ... for all of us to understand how homelessness impacts the community and society," she said.
Ms Alexander said that a 2018 report by the Institute of Health and Welfare, Sleeping rough: A profile of Specialist Homelessness Services clients, identified rough sleepers accounted for one in 14 homeless people in Australia.
"While this is the latest study, it is based on 2016 Census figures, so three years on, the situation is likely to be even worse.
"Here in Tasmania, Vinnies helps around 120 people at risk of homelessness or homeless every week, and there is constant demand for our support from families and individuals in these situations."
She said it was also important to be aware of the underlying challenges facing though who are sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness.
"Those who are sleeping rough are more likely to be male, aged 35 or over, unemployed, and living with mental health and/or drug and alcohol issues," she said.
Newly elected Bass Liberal MHR Bridget Archer will be sleeping rough for the fourth time as part of the sleepout.
She said she was prompted to participate a number a years ago based on her own experience.
"In my case, it was as a result of injury which meant that I was in hospital for six weeks," she said.
"Suddenly, that set of circumstances put me in a really vulnerable situation.
"That's the type of thing that can happen to anybody at any time, and that's why the CEO Sleepout and events like that are really important."
She said participating in the event was is cold and uncomfortable, but the participants were all doing it from a privileged position.
"We're doing that for one night, and we're doing it in a safe environment," she said.
"The very jarring message that comes home to me is that even though I might be a bit cold and a bit uncomfortable, I'm in a perfectly safe environment, I'm being looked after, there are people there that are concerned for my welfare.
"We've got people on the streets in Tasmania that don't have that security, don't have that safety."
This year's participants have so far raised more than $100,000. To donate, visit ceosleepout.org.au.
- The sleepout will take place from 6pm on June 20 to 7am June 21.