Blankets needed as Geelong steps up for its own

AS THE days grow colder, a Geelong-based Christian radio station is collecting blankets and sleeping bags to spread a bit of warmth to those doing it tough.

The initiative, known as Blanket Geelong, is led by presenter Leroy Brown and the team behind 96threeFM, and aims to raise awareness of the region’s rising homeless population.

More than 1,500 people were counted as experiencing homelessness in Geelong on census night in 2021, double the number recorded during the previous census just four years earlier.

“Homelessness is not going away. It’s an issue that has surfaced throughout Geelong over the years and it doesn’t seem to be shrinking,” Brown said.

“Homelessness is on our streets, and you might not see it. It might be hidden, and it might be well-disguised, but it does exist, and we need to open our eyes to it.”

This year, Brown and his crew are seeking both new and pre-loved sleeping bags and small, easy-to-carry blankets, with all donations to go to major partner The Outpost and any other outreach service that puts its hand up for support. All donations, however, will be put to good use.

“What The Outpost are telling us is people who are underprivileged or don’t have a home for the night would prefer something they can roll up, put in a backpack possibly, and walk around with.

“What they’re finding is the large blankets that get donated, people use them for one night, they get rained on, they get damp, and they get thrown in the trash.

“So, what we want to try and do is encourage people to give either sleeping bags or some small, portable blankets, so these guys can actually carry them around.”

Brown, who has long been passionate about eradicating homelessness, first launched the Blanket Geelong initiative in 2012, and has previously “blanketed” prominent local landmarks like Geelong Arena, Cunningham Pier and the National Wool Museum, laying out each donated blanket to convey the extent of the need that exists across the region.

While the team won’t be blanketing any landmarks this year, they’re still hoping for a big impact.

“Blanket Geelong, like any of our faith in action projects, is about us loving our neighbours and it doesn’t matter who that is or where they find themselves,” Geelong Christian Media chief executive Kathy Campbell said.

“Bring whatever you can … Blankets are such a beautiful way of giving someone a bit like a physical hug when we can’t do it ourselves, and when it’s cold and we’re tucked up inside ourselves.”

Blanket Geelong donations can be dropped off at 15/147 Marshalltown Road, Grovedale.

Local businesses interested in supporting the appeal by serving as a donation drop-off point are encouraged to get in touch with 96threeFM.