Byron Bay’s homeless people will be have a smile on their face this morning and a new pair of designer jeans to keep them warm, thanks to the Byron Community Centre.
The gift and a fundraising appeal has been timed to coincide with Homeless Action Week.
Community centre general manager Paul Spooner said locals should all spare a thought on these cold winter mornings for those less fortunate.
‘We have been fortunate to have been given a very generous donation of designer jeans to distribute to the homeless during Homeless Action Week,’ Mr Spooner said.
‘We will be distributing the jeans at our regular Homeless Breakfast this morning (Wednesday) at the back of the community centre.
‘This is well timed given the drastic reduction in funding from the federal government for programs such as Emergency Relief reduced from $45,000 in 2014 to $5,000 this year.
‘To manage the defunding of services, the centre has developed a comprehensive fundraising appeal called the #ByronSafetyNet,’ he said.
The community centre has kicked off the appeal by making a $20,000 donation received from managing the Byron Bay Markets.
Mr Spooner said ‘We are putting a call out to our generous community members to also donate over the coming months to ensure the shortfall in funding received from the federal government is covered by our community’.
For more information and to make a donation, visit the Byron community website at: www.byroncentre.com.au/safetynet
Nice work Paul and the BBCC folk!
Just because a bunch of people in an overpopulated city decided to cut funding to all human services in Australia, it did not stop us last time. Over ten years ago I kicked off the Homeless Wool Project in the Byron shire, to assist our local on the streets people and also those in emergency accommodation. My suggestion to you Paul Spooner is to get the donations rolling in for woollen blankets, beanies, jumpers, ponchos, long coats, socks and boots so that we may clothe everyone in need esp in winter. Sarah-Jane 0410836562