A group of locals who have experienced homelessness firsthand are gearing up to run in the Gold Coast Half Marathon on July 1, to raise much-needed funds for the Fletcher Street Cottage in Byron Bay.
The cottage provides basic needs such as food, showers and laundry, and advocacy and referral services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Fletcher Street Cottage relies 100 per cent on community donations, as there is no ongoing government funding for the services.
As a former rough sleeper, Mathew Broster is a cottage regular, and told The Echo, ‘At Fletcher Street Cottage, many of us rely on the morning breakfast, showers, laundry and shelter that are essential assistance with our survival’.
Breaking the stereotype
‘As we gather a strong group of us rough sleepers together, running side by side, we are creating awareness and breaking the stereotype of homelessness’.
Broster says, ‘With a running coach on hand, a dog sitter planned, a beautiful coastline to run on, and a consistent training program, our plan is to get “Off the Street, On Our Feet”.
‘Every donation motivates us to keeping going!
‘Please donate to this initiative to support rough sleepers in the Byron community’.
To donate, visit www.pozible.com/profile/off-the-street-on-our-feet-1.
For more info on the Fletcher Street Cottage, visit www.fletcherstreetcottage.com.au.
And to become a sponsor of the cottage, please get in touch at [email protected] or phone 0491 670 882.
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