The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that despite the steady economic growth in Australia, homelessness increase by 14 percent between 2011 and 2016 censuses. 

Also this morning 21 athletes, including Sydney Sixers and Australian wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy and Matildas forward Michelle Heyman, have woken up on the grounds of the Sydney Cricket Ground from the inaugural Sports Stars Sleepout.

While they maybe didn't get any sleep last night sleeping on beds made out of cardboard in 12o degree weather, it is the reality for Australia's homeless.

The Sports Stars Sleepout is a fundraiser put on by The Chappell Foundation, was held on the eve of Homeless Week 2018 to not only raise funds to help support homeless youth in Australia but raise awareness of the issue.

"It was easy for me to stick my hand up and be part of the sleep out," said Healy, who is also an ambassador of the Foundation.

"From my point of view, I've lived such a privileged and very sheltered life so to read that there are over 44,000 young Australian's out there that are homeless is outstanding to me.

"We are a first world country and we are sorting allowing that to be the case so for me it was easy to stick my hand up and rough it for one night when there are kids out there doing it every single night," she said.

The Chappell Foundation was only established 15 months ago by Cricket legend Greg Chappell, who saw young people sleeping in the Fitzroy Gardens during brisk morning walks.

The brainchild of the Sleepout is former captain of an Australian cricket team and member of the Foundation, Lisa Sthalekar. 

For Heyman, it was a conversation at an annual PFA meeting that Sarah Walsh spoke to her about the event but not being the camping type, she wasn't sure about it at first.

"I didn't know how I was going to feel towards it but after reading up on what The Chappell Foundation as doing and the stats with homeless youth is just insane," she said.

"It broke my heart because I see myself as an 18-year-old and I keep telling myself like imagine myself trying to sleep out on the streets, I wouldn't be able to survive that," Heyman said. 

The 30-year-old has received great support from donors with messages of support and admiration with each donation.

"It is so cute because everytime someone donates they write a little note, it is just beautiful, it's just amazing to see some of the comments," Heyman said.

"It's so amazing to be able to give back and help others," she said.

At 8 pm last night, they had raised $47,000 before the number grew to $50,021 by 8:30am Monday morning AEST and it was only 10 days ago that donations opened.

Looking to the future, Healy is looking for the event to continue growing.

"To see where it's started this year is very exciting and to hopefully continue raising that awareness, build the brand of this events and hopefully get more athletes each year could see us pack out the MCG one year," Healy said.

You can still make a donation to your favourite sports star here.