TOURVEST GETS BEHIND CEO SLEEPOUT CHALLENGE

Integrated tourism group Tourvest pledged its support to the inaugural 702-Sun International CEO SleepOut challenge.

Chief executive Tommy Edmond joined around 240 other CEOs in sleeping out on the streets in Sandton last week with nothing more than a sheet of cardboard, a sleeping bag and a warm cup of soup. The purpose of the challenge was to raise awareness of South Africa’s homeless, particularly its street children.

The initiative, which required the participants to each donate R100 000, raised more than R25 million for the Girls and Boys Town Organisation. Edmond said it was a humbling experience to see first-hand what so many South Africans have to go through every night.

”This initiative clearly shows what big businesses can do to address some of the issues faced by the underprivileged. Can you imagine what could be achieved if business and government worked together?”