Senior insurance executives joined more than 1000 of Australia’s CEOs and business leaders in a sleepout for charity Vinnies which has so far raised $5.68 million to support people facing homelessness.

Now in its 15th year, the 2020 CEO Sleepout was held on June 18 as an interactive online event, with participants encouraged to join in remotely by spending the night in their cars, backyards or couches.

Steadfast CEO Robert Kelly raised more than $97,000 in his third Sleepout and said he was inspired by his own family history.

“As a child I saw my grandfather struggle with alcoholism and homelessness, and gain support from Vinnies at the Matthew Talbot Hostel,” Mr Kelly said.

QBE’s team of three – Australia Pacific CEO Vivek Bhatia, Lenders Mortgage Insurance CEO Phil White and Chief Risk Officer Australia Pacific Jonathan Groves – raised almost $38,000.

Marsh CEO Australia & Pacific Scott Leney raised $40,382 in what was his seventh sleepout while Perth-based Zenith Insurance Services Director Kim Gilbert, registered for the ninth time to raise more than $14,000.

Chubb Country President Australia & New Zealand Jarrod Hill raised more than $13,000 in his inaugural Sleepout, and fellow first-timer Willis Towers Watson CEO Simon Weaver raised $9000.

IQumulate Premium Funding CEO Raj Nanra had his second chilly Sleepout to raise almost $7000, and . Geelong Insurance Brokers CEO Don Shields raised $3373 in his fourth sleepout.

Vinnies says 116,000 people are experiencing homelessness, with one in 14 of these people “sleeping rough”.