Tents and toiletries on Christmas wish list

FLETCHER Street Cottage is seeking donations of practical items such as tents, tarpaulins and sleeping bags to help locals experiencing homelessness this Christmas.

The Byron Bay homeless hub has compiled The Giving Guide list for the first time this year as part of its Be Kind Christmas Appeal.

It also includes backpacks to help people keep their belongings safe, head torches, towels, water bottles, raincoats, repair kits, first aid kids, hats, and toiletry bags filled with soap, toothpaste and sanitary items.

“Obviously for us financial donations are really beneficial but it’s nice for people to go out and pick something and know that it’s going in the hands of someone who can really use it,” Fletcher Street Cottage assistant manager and community support worker Maddi Powell said.

“Tents are pretty obvious, but we also get so much rain here that people need tarpaulins, and while we can just turn on a tap and get water people who are rough sleeping have to make sure they fill their water bottle before they go back to camp.”

People who want to help can drop off donations at the Byron Community Centre reception until December 17, but the appeal runs up until Christmas Day.

Money raised goes towards the day-to-day running of Fletcher Street Cottage, which offers a place where rough sleepers can have a shower, wash their clothes and enjoy a free hot breakfast four days a week.

The non-profit-organisation, which reopened in 2022 when Byron Community Centre partnered with Creative Capital to renovate it, also offers a range of co-located and referral services to help with such things as finding social housing, employment, legal aid, counselling, dental care, hairdressing, podiatry and veterinary care.

To make a financial donation, visit fletcherstreetcottage.com.au