TRADING in a warm bed for a night on the beach, under three pieces flimsy cardboard,

Fr Gerard Lai recently took on the 2026 Vinnies CEO Sleepout, representing Maroochydore Parish.

“I woke up at 1:30am to my structure completely collapsed,” he said.

It was an “open rooftop, beach sleepout experience”.

The hardest part, Fr Lai said, was waking up to wind blowing inside the shelter and constantly worrying about his belongings; an insight into what many people sleeping on the streets experience every night.

The sleepout was “rough” but it was “all for a good cause”.

“Nothing a hot cup of coffee and some morning prayers couldn’t fix.”

Stella Maris School principal Mark Ballam also joined in for the cause.

“This was my fourth CEO Sleepout” and each year is a “deeply humbling experience”,  Mr Ballam said.

“The biggest challenge is always confronting the reality that for many, this is not a one-night experience but a daily struggle.

“It reinforces how important it is that we continue to act with compassion and commitment.”

One of the guest speakers on the night spoke about her experience of homelessness after “a series of complications in her life meant she had to sell everything and sleep rough”, Fr Lai said.

“She said a line that I found very striking,” he said, “It is not a crime to be poor, so why do we look on the homeless like they are criminals so often?”.

Fr Lai had the opportunity to share a reflection on Jesus’ suffering before praying grace and eating supper which he said was a highlight.

“Even when Jesus was born, He was homeless,” he said.

“Born in a stable because there was no room in the inn.

“Even God experienced homelessness and suffering and so we pray that we might make a difference in the world just as Jesus did.”

This year, Fr Lai and Mr Ballam both exceeded their fundraising goal of $5000.

“I am very proud,” Fr Lai said, “because this money goes straight towards helping the homeless in the Sunshine Coast region”.

Mr Ballam said the money provides relief, such as, food, crisis accommodation and “long-term solutions to secure permanent, safe housing”.

“Funds from the event support healthcare, education, employment pathways and many other critical services,” he said.

“Not to a big corporation on the other side of the world but directly here in the local area,” Fr Lai said.

Mr Ballam participates in the sleep out each year because his faith calls him “to respond to those in need”.

“As a leader of the Stella Maris school community, I see that one of the important ways I can lead is by modelling service and our schools core values of compassion, courage and commitment,” he said.

“I would encourage anyone in our community who is able to consider supporting the work of St Vincent de Paul, whether through donations, advocacy or simply taking the time to better understand the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness.

“Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a meaningful difference.”

Fr Lai said he hopes to be sleeping out again next year “and for many years to come”.

You can donate online by visiting, https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/