Studio 10’s Joe Hildebrand wipes away tears as he breaks down during live on air emotional speech

Studio 10’s Joe Hildebrand broke down in tears during the morning show on Friday when he thanked viewers for donating to the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. 

The TV presenter, 43, recalled how he spent Thursday night in a tent in the backyard of his Sydney home to help raise money and awareness of homelessness.

He also shared how grateful he was to those who helped him reach his goal of $5,000, and said he would match the money with another $5,000. 

‘We are in a once-in-a-century downturn. People are being screwed, being battered,’ he said, referring to the recent mass unemployment due to COVID-19.

‘The generosity has been phenomenal… There are people who are giving five bucks, taking the time to donate money, sometimes to write a little note [saying] “sorry, it’s not more”.’

‘If you are taking the time just to give five bucks that is money you cannot afford and that means more,’ he added, overcome with emotion.

‘I’m grateful for all the other stuff, but that (the small donations) means so much more to me, those little amounts,’ he concluded while wiping away a tear with a tissue from co-host Kerri-Anne Kennerly. 

Earlier in the segment, Joe showed off the tent he pitched in his backyard and confessed that ‘absolutely everything went wrong’.

He explained that his inflatable mattress deflated, he had a mouldy pillow and a wet sleeping bag and got barely any sleep.

Joe also took part in the event last year, and revealed in a column he wrote for news.com.au that it was an eye opening experience, especially for wealthy people who take part.

‘The point of it is to shock rich and influential people into doing something about real homelessness and here’s the second thing you need to know about the CEO Sleepout — it’s not the sleeping out that’s the shocking part,’ he wrote.

The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is an annual event that takes place on one night and calls for CEOs, as well as business, community and government leaders to sleep outdoors and experience what the many homeless people around the country go through.

In previous years, those taking part in the event have had to sleep out in public areas in major cities across the country, but because of COVID-10 participants slept in their car, backyard or on their couch to raise money.