Sleeping bags, tents sought for rough sleepers

AS Ballarat’s Rough Sleepers Fundraiser approaches, organisers have said the need for donations of sleeping bags and tents is greater than ever.

An annual event, this year’s fundraiser will be held this Saturday on Federal election day in the car park of the York Street Church of Christ.

It is again being run by the Christian Motorcycle Association, with support from the One Humanity Shower Bus.

Sleeping bags and tents collected on the day will be distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness in the community.

The event further aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those without shelter, especially during the winter months.

As the cost-of-living crisis in Australia tightens its grip, event organiser Fraser Wood said donations of sleeping bags and tents were urgently needed.

“It’s such a good cause,” he said.

“It’s been going for years as a Christian Motorcycle Association fundraiser. It’s so simple and such a great idea, but it has struggled for some publicity.

“We have had a few donations already – I’ve been asking people to drop them off at the shower bus if they can. We prefer newer ones.

“It’s like wearing someone else’s clothes – you can, but you do like new ones to put on. But we know this isn’t always possible.

“They don’t have to be massively expensive Kathmandu ones; a cheap one will do. People aren’t going to say no, and the more the better.

“Sleeping bags and tents of all kinds will be welcomed.”

Mr Wood said his own experiences as a shower bus volunteer showed more people than ever were doing it tough.

“It’s crazy on the shower bus – I’m seeing people with a house, who are renting or have a mortgage, standing in line with people who are genuinely homeless, needing top-ups of things like toilet paper and shampoo, or a shower,” he said.

“Or they are going to get a feed at The SoupBus, as they have spent all their money on food and bills and have nothing left.

“There are a lot of people who are struggling, who are not homeless.

“It sounds like such a cliche, but it’s a sign of the times.

“Some are even a bit sheepish about asking for help, but we are here to help.”

The Rough Sleepers Fundraiser kicks off at 11pm and will include a time-honoured election day barbecue. Proceeds from the barbecue will go towards buying additional sleeping bags.

People wanting to donate items but who are unable to attend on Saturday are urged to do so by visiting the shower bus.

York Street Church of Christ is at 410 York Street, Ballarat East.