Kyle Sandilands spent more than nine months living on the streets when he was 15.
And on Friday, the 47-year-old dared to do it all again for the Stepping Stone House’s Sleep Under the Stars charity event at Hickson Reserve, Sydney.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the event, the shock jock said that the night had ‘bought back a lot of memories.’
‘I have spent my whole life avoiding sleeping in a box again’: Kyle Sandilands recalls his time as a homeless teenager… as he attends a charity street sleep out
‘It has brought back a lot of memories, because I have spent my whole life avoiding sleeping in a box again,’ Kyle said.
He said the fear of having nothing has driven his career.
‘I must have suppressed it, but as soon as this came along – Stepping Stone House and what they do for the kids.
‘Their targets, their goals and their dreams. This is the charity for me.’
Giving back: Kyle said he knew that the charity was something he wanted to put his support behind
His past: Kyle Sandilands spent more than nine months living on the streets when he was 15
Kyle said that people would be surprised if they knew the amount of kids who were homeless in each city – as of 2016 there are more than 26,000 homeless people under 18 in Australia.
‘The dangers kids face out there and the lack of opportunities to make them feel as young adolescents – they feel lost, that there is no hope. They get led into a life of crime, of drugs, or prostitution. All terrible lives.’
He said he was one of the lucky ones who were able to get out – and that there are people and charities willing to help.
Kyle said the event was the opposite to what he thought it would be, and that it was lovely to see so many people and businesses out to support the charity.
Putting his support behind a good cause: Kyle said that people would be surprised if they knew the amount of kids who were homeless in each city
Having a good time! Kyle said the event was the opposite to what he thought it would be, and that it was lovely to see so many people and businesses out to support the charity
‘What I thought might be a bit of an emotionally hard time for me, I have come down here and am actually having a good time,’ he said.
‘It’s the opposite to what I thought it would be.’
In August, the KIIS FM star told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Seriously, the thought of being on a cardboard box again – even though it’s in a fun environment – is hell on earth to me and a big sort of dark issue.’
‘I’m really dreading it. I could be a blubbering mess on the night and being consoled by children. I hope not. I think I’ll keep my s*** together.’