Coat donation keeps community warm

A GENEROUS donation to the Bendigo Community Coat Drive will help keep the region’s homeless and vulnerable people warm this winter.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service in partnership with clothing company UNIQLO donated enough of the retailer’s new coats to secure the drive for another year.

Bendigo Community Health Services CEO Gerard José said the RFDS went “above and beyond” with their donation.

“We distribute around 2000 coats each year so this generous donation from the Royal Flying Doctor Service means we can continue to care for the homeless and vulnerable members of our community even through these uncertain times around COVID-19 and ever-changing restrictions,” he said.

“These coats are high quality and will do much to help the homeless, individuals and families struggling to make ends meet through these tough winter months.”

RDFS Victoria CEO Scott Chapman said the decision to donate to the coat drive was a fitting one.

“Following a very generous donation of surgical face masks to keep our patients and staff safe, UNIQLO offered to work with us to identify a group who may be in need of winter jackets,” he said.

“With such a strong footprint in rural Victoria, we were aware of the incredible work done every year by Bendigo Community Health Services and knew they would be perfect to partner with for such a donation.”

The coats have since been passed on to a number of organisations working directly with people in need, and Mr José thanked Eaglehawk-based courier company Power’s Country Express.

“Not only did they go to Melbourne and get the coats for us but they have stored them in their warehouse and are now delivering them to places such as Haven Home Safe and Bendigo Family and Financial Services free of charge to help the community.”

Mr José said BCHS hoped to be able to accept community donations of second-hand coats during next year’s drive.

“We just ask everyone to hold onto those coats until next year when we hope to return to our traditional format of gathering up second-hand coats, having these cleaned and then distributed to those in need through our sites and partners.”