Goulburn MP Pru Goward took part in the annual fundraising event for St Vincent de Paul to raise awareness about homelessness.

She joined Fairfax Media CEO Brian McCarthy, Dick Smith and Minister for Community Services Linda Burney in experiencing what sleeping rough was like.

Everyone was allowed to bring their own sleeping bag and a pillow, and cardboard was laid out to provide some comfort on the concrete floor.

On a bitterly cold night, they were allowed to sleep out of the rain.

Warm food was provided, which included soup and bread rolls.

In Australia today it is estimated more than 105,000 people are homeless. Around 34,000 of them are children.

Most women and children end up homeless because of domestic violence issues.

At last count around $500,000 was raised to provide relief to the homeless through crisis accommodation and domestic violence support.

Ms Goward said the night provided an insight into what homeless people go through every night.

“We were very lucky though, we didn’t face any danger,” she said. “I was told that one of the main things homeless people endure is violence.”

During the night people who had been homeless spoke about their lives.

Ms Goward said it was uplifting to hear and see people who, with help, had been able to find a way out of the homeless cycle.

“People can be saved and can be given a way back,” she said. “We shouldn’t give up on the homeless, particularly now with higher unemployment.”

“Also, through no fault of their own, many families are not far away from homelessness.

“This winter we need to dig a bit deeper.”