Mr Munk has raised more than $29,000 to help homeless people in the Illawarra. But he said it was a team effort and he could not have done it without so much generous support from so many people at Wests Illawarra and other parts of the group.

"We have been averaging around $25,000 a year over the last five years and we are just short of reaching $130,000," he said.

"Last year was exceptional. We raised $40,000 in 2018. This is the second highest. We have had everything from club member contributions, lady golfers contributing and the Devils did a sleep out and they raised $1000. There was 25 boys doing that sleepout. And we have had staff contributing. It has all been a team effort".

Mr Munk said what was surprising is how many people he spoke to knew of someone finding it difficult to makes ends meet.

"This journey on the sleepout I have found quite expanding," he said.

"Vinnies does over 1000 meals a month here in Wollongong alone. And that is Monday, Wednesday and Friday only because they don't have the funding to do five nights.

Mr Munk said this year's sleepout was particularly cold and he struggled to stay warm but doing it tough made him appreciate more what other people go through on a daily basis.

And is the reason he is going to keep doing it every year.

"It was really cold. But that reminds me why I do it. It is not a pleasant night. The comaraderie is fantastic but I could not imagine backing up night after night. Honestly I struggled. But I am coming back to do it again. Next year will be my sixth year".

St Vincent de Paul Society's Wollongong Diocesan Central Council executive officer Peter Quarmby said businessmen and women from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven raised more than $125,000 for homeless people in the region by sleeping out in the cold.

Mr Quarmby said 41 participants took part this year and fundraising continues until the end of July.

Read more: