At just 16, Mohammed Albaqeri (Yagoona) fell four-storeys while working on a construction site.

Miraculously, he survived but was left with debilitating injuries, unable to work. Along with a significant family breakdown, he found himself homeless.

Ahead of the Mayor’s Lights Out Sleepout being held later this month at Belmore Sportsground, Mohammed (now 18) shared his experiences with Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek.

“It was just a normal day – I was having a water break on the fourth level of the building – then everything happened so fast,” Mohammed said.

I took a step backwards and my whole body followed over the edge. My t-shirt was over my head, I couldn’t see anything, hitting the scaffolding on the way down – I stayed conscious when I landed.”

After the fall, I was recovering in hospital for about a month so I couldn’t pay my rent. The second week, my landlord removed my stuff from my place but luckily a friend picked it up and brought it to the hospital.”

Before the accident I was saving up and I wanted to start an electrical apprenticeship. The injury changed everything – I felt so lonely.”

Thankfully for Mohammed, frontline services stepped in at a critical moment.

Following his discharge from hospital, he was initially referred to Uniting Parramatta Youth Service (Refuge), where he stayed for three months.

Mohammed was then referred to Mission Australia’s Canterbury Bankstown Youth Service (CBYS) and moved into its crisis refuge (Allum House) for ongoing support.

“I was lucky in many ways because I wasn’t on the street, like other people I knew. I was given a safe shelter to live in thanks to these services,” he said.

Mission Australia was eventually able to secure Mohammed long-term, accessible housing that met his physical needs, and he looks forward to returning to employment when his health allows.

“I’d like to start a business or side hustle one day,” he said.

Mohammed’s journey is a testament to his unwavering resilience. Sadly, his homelessness experience is not unique.

In Mission Australia’s 2025 Youth Survey, around 600 young people aged 14-19 said they had experienced homelessness in the past year, with family or relationship conflict, lack of affordable housing and family or domestic violence the top drivers.

“Not everyone knows that homeless people can be young, and, in my case, there are many young people struggling with family problems,” Mohammed said.

“That’s why I’m getting behind the Mayor’s Lights Out Sleepout – I want to spread awareness and raise money for these services that supported me when I needed them.”

Mayor Bilal El-Hayek is calling on businesses, community leaders and individuals to sleep overnight at Belmore Oval from 6pm on Friday 28 August, with every dollar raised supporting frontline charities Mission Australia, Maronites on Mission and Brothers in Need.

“Mohammed is just one of the 23,000 people who have experienced homelessness in some form in NSW, and his story speaks to the complexity of this serious issue that surrounds us,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

Mission Australia’s survey shows that intervening early before a crisis is critical to help prevent people, particularly young people, from falling into homelessness.

Organisations like Mission Australia, Maronites on Mission and Brothers in Need not only provide support like meals and emergency assistance but their community outreach allows them to interact with people who are reaching a crisis point but have never engaged with support services.

“It is humbling to have Mohammed’s support, and I hope we can exceed our fundraising record to help other people like him who have or are currently experiencing homelessness,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

Over the past three years, the Sleepout has raised more than $78,800. This year, Mayor El-Hayek is challenging the community to reach a $30,000 fundraising goal.

There are three ways to support the Mayor’s Lights Out Sleepout:

• Register to sleep out and fundraise for your preferred charity
• Donate directly to help reach the $30,000 target
• Spread the word!

To find out more and to sign up, visit cb.city/MayorsSleepout.