Several chief executives all over Australia traded their business garments and boardrooms to sleep in concrete floors last night – all for charity.

Chief executives are participating in the 2010 St. Vinnie's CEO Sleepout - a fundraising event that used to be a local community venture in Prramatta. It expanded into a national event to raise funds and bring awareness on homelessness in Australia.

"[Homelessness] is not just the responsibility of government, it's not just the responsibility of CEOs - it's the responsibility of every person in our community," said St Vinnies CEO Peter Maher.

McDonald's chief Catriona Noble, who raised more than $32,000 from staff and suppliers, also joined the event as she camped out at Sydney's Luna Park with hot soup and a bread roll.

“As a mother it's an upsetting thought to know that every night someone else's child, brother or sister or even whole family is sleeping on the street with no home to go to," she said.

"Anything I can do to help change that is really a no-brainer."

Chief executive Tom Southern of CB Richard Ellis also joined the sleepout and raised more than $29,850, while Citibank chief of consumer banking Roy Gori gained more than $9600 from staff and friends.

Fortescue Metals head Andrew Forrest also camped out at the cricket ground in Perth, where temperatures dropped at 7 celcius. He also raised $2000 and vowed to make last-minute donations.

In Melbourne, Danny Wallis of DWS Advanced Business Solutions also garnered $20,000 funds while Tony Braxton-Smith successfully received $21,000.

Chief executive Michele Grow of Davidson Trahiare Coorpsyche, who participated in last year's sleepout in Sydney, hopes the event will not be a one-a-year thing that will be forgotten afterwards.

“As a CEO you have a responsibility to take immense care of your organisation, but I think as community leaders, we also have responsibility to take immense care of the community,” Ms. Grow said.