Pharmacy Daily | Guardian boss to rough it for Vinnies

GUARDIAN Pharmacy Head, Kurt O'Brien, is set to sleep rough for a third time as part of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout fundraising event for people experiencing homelessness in the community.

O'Brien is aiming to raise $5,000 for the charity, with Guardian's parent company, Sigma Healthcare pledging to match every dollar he raises up to his goal, to help break the cycle of homelessness and poverty facing more than 100,000 Australians each night.

"Participating in Vinnies CEO Sleepout each year is an important part of our community engagement ethos which we are so passionate about at Guardian," he said.

"This year will mark my third year being involved in the CEO Sleepout initiative and more than five years working with Vinnies to support those experiencing disadvantage and homelessness within the community.

"The sleepout is designed to increase awareness around homelessness in our communities and help others gain a better understanding of what Australians living without shelter experience daily, so I'm looking forward to doing what I can to aid Vinnies' fundraising efforts with the support of the Guardian Pharmacy network."

Through his previous Sleepout efforts in 2019 and 2020, O'Brien has raised close to $10,000 for Vinnies.

The Victorian-based Guardian boss is due to spend the night of 17 Jun at The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne alongside 240 other business leaders, but depending on COVID-19 lockdown restrictions may have to rough it in his car or backyard.

O'Brien will not be community pharmacy's sole participant in the annual CEO Sleepout, with Pharmacy Guild of Australia Tasmanian Branch Director, Monique MacKrill, joining close to 40 other CEOs at University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceton on 17 Jun, for the first time.

You can show your support for pharmacy duo, by donating to O'Brien's fundraising account HERE, and/or MacKrill's HERE.