Motorcycle riders help deliver hundreds of donated blankets to those in need

Thirty riders from the God Squad Motorcycle Group rolled into Grovedale’s 96three FM on Friday to collect hundreds of donated blankets and sleeping bags for people in need.

The donations were collected through the radio station’s annual Big Warm Up appeal and will be delivered to Wyndham Park Community Centre for distribution across the region.God’s Squad, a Christian motorcycle ministry that has worked with motorcycle clubs for more than 50 years, volunteered to transport the donations.

The annual appeal encourages listeners to donate blankets and sleeping bags to support people sleeping rough or living in their cars during winter.

Now in its eighth year, the initiative has partnered with The Outpost in Geelong and Wyndham Park Community Centre in Werribee to ensure donated blankets quickly reach those who need them most.

96three FM chief executive officer Kath Campbell said the appeal had continued to grow thanks to the generosity of listeners.

“I’m so proud of this initiative, which we have been doing in various forms since 2018, with hundreds coming forward and donating to us,” she said.

“We are bridging the gap in our local community, and part of that has been extending to Wyndham Park Community Centre this year.

“To have the God Squad guys running this up there is terrific. It’s all part of our commitment to share love in our community.”

God Squad Melbourne chapter lead Dave Micallef said members were pleased to play a small role in helping people feel seen, valued and cared for.

“These blankets and sleeping bags are going to be such a blessing to people,” he said.

“We are just rapt to be apart of this great initiative and I thank all those at 96three FM for their efforts. Just know these items will be put to great use.”

More than 200 blankets were donated across this year’s appeal.