MALLALA Primary School year five to seven students took part in a Vinnies sleepout on Friday as part of raising funds to support those who are homeless.

Many traded their daily comforts and rugged up in the school gymnasium to understand how tough it can be for families who are living in poverty.

The day before the event, Vinnies Schools and community engagement officer Jayne Shortt visited Mallala Primary School to educate students who were involved in the sleep-out about the current issue of homelessness.

Students participated in a ‘Cost of Living’ board game aimed at educating students about the importance of money.

Ms Shortt said the sleep-out initiative was designed to educate kids on what homeless people go through every day.

“It’s about giving young people a chance to develop some empathy for those who are struggling,” she said.

“Homelessness is an issue that people can be protected from, so it is good to give more exposure to those people.”

She said the aim of the sleep-out was for students to be sponsored by family and friends.

“The school then set up a GoFundMe page, so the community could donate to the cause,” she said.

“100 per cent of the proceeds go towards Vinnies homeless services that we have.

“Overall, the students were able to experience exactly what more than 6000 people do every night.”

Mallala Primary School principal Sharon Okmasich said the idea of the sleep-out came about following last year’s successful event to help support Vinnies.

“Four girls who organised it had a discussion with me about doing something else, so that is when we contacted Jayne,” she said.

“It is great, because it really gave the students an idea of what it is like for those who are struggling.”