A GENEROUS donation to the Bendigo Community Coat Drive will help keep the region\u2019s homeless and vulnerable people warm this winter.<\/p>\n
The Royal Flying Doctor Service in partnership with clothing company UNIQLO donated enough of the retailer\u2019s new coats to secure the drive for another year.<\/p>\n
Bendigo Community Health Services CEO Gerard\u00a0Jos\u00e9\u00a0said the RFDS went \u201cabove and beyond\u201d with their donation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
RDFS Victoria CEO Scott Chapman said the decision to donate to the coat drive was a fitting one.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing a very generous donation of surgical face masks to keep our patients and staff safe,\u00a0UNIQLO\u00a0offered to work with us to identify a group who may be in need of winter jackets,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The coats have since been passed on to a number of organisations working directly with people in need, and Mr Jos\u00e9 thanked Eaglehawk-based courier company Power\u2019s Country Express.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Jos\u00e9 said BCHS hoped to be able to accept community donations of second-hand coats during next year\u2019s drive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A GENEROUS donation to the Bendigo Community Coat Drive will help keep the region\u2019s homeless and vulnerable people warm this winter. The Royal Flying Doctor Service in partnership with clothing company UNIQLO donated enough of the retailer\u2019s new coats to secure the drive for another year. Bendigo Community Health Services CEO Gerard\u00a0Jos\u00e9\u00a0said the RFDS went […]<\/p>\n