Hollard Broker Markets joint MD Pierre Geyer is braving Johannesburg’s biting winter cold for the 702

Hollard Broker Markets joint MD Pierre Geyer.

Sun International CEO SleepOut – and he would love it if you could help him support our country’s children.

Tomorrow night, 18 June, Pierre joins over 200 other business leaders for the 702 Sun International CEO SleepOut overnight on the freezing-cold streets of Sandton. The initiative aims to raise millions of rands for Girls and Boys Town, but for Pierre, it’s about a lot more than simply writing out a cheque.

“This is an activation, not just a donation. For us, it’s one night [out on the streets]. What about the guy whose life it is every night?” he asks.

While Pierre’s the one who will be doing the CEO SleepOut on behalf of Hollard, which has itself made a substantial R100 000 pledge to the cause, he needs your support to make even more of a difference.

As a Hollardite and Hollard Partner we’re appealing to you to show the warmth of your heart and make a contribution, too.

The CEOs will be deprived of all their creature comforts and have to make do with cardboard for shelter.

While Pierre’s braved chilly nights out in the veld before, he’s never been in a forced situation such as this, and he admits to being nervous about living rough for 12 hours on one of the coldest nights of the year.

But, he continues, it also makes his participation and Hollard’s support for the SleepOut initiative that much more meaningful.

“This is a reality check for me as an individual. We live such rushed lives, that we’re not in touch with life and we take things for granted; this is an opportunity to remember what’s important in life, and how life is for other people.”

Hollard’s social responsibility focus in recent years has been on orphaned and vulnerable children, and children living with HIV and AIDS. Participating in the CEO SleepOut dovetails closely with Hollard’s passion for supporting this country’s children, says Pierre.

"How can we make a difference to the less fortunate? We must invest in the future of South Africa", he says firmly.

While the CEO SleepOut will undoubtedly put participants in an uncomfortable space, Pierre says he is looking forward to getting to know his peers as individuals.