WITH many feeling the cost-of-living pinch, a Bannockburn man is looking to collect vouchers to support those in need.<\/p>\n
Since the start of the year, Zachary Hickleton has been doing his part for his community, hosting several charity drives and personally donating support packages to people.<\/p>\n
He said vouchers are an ideal way to help.<\/p>\n
\u201cMainly it\u2019ll be Woolworths vouchers,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re the best options to have. I\u2019ve had people donate food which can be difficult because it might not last.<\/p>\n
\u201cVouchers are an easy thing to collect and give away, and it gives the person the option to buy what they need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Hickleton donated $500 worth of vouchers to kick off the initiative, and said he\u2019d received about 10 responses within the first day of going public.<\/p>\n
His altruistic streak started earlier this year when he decided to go alcohol-free throughout 2023 in support of Beyond Blue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was where it started but I\u2019ve always done little things personally like buying peoples\u2019 coffees or lunches to give them a smile,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no better feeling than doing something good for someone.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Bannockburn resident of roughly three decades, Mr Hickleton said he aims to personally deliver the vouchers as requested.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get people to message me if they\u2019re struggling or they\u2019ll reach out,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they don\u2019t want to be known, it\u2019ll be anonymous donation. I\u2019ve sort of got a database of people I\u2019ve helped in the past that I can help again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll post these ideas up and it\u2019s amazing, the buy-in you get from the community. I\u2019ve had other people join to mow someone\u2019s lawn for free., and encouraging people to support each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just enjoy helping people, especially those in my community, and I know there\u2019s a lot of people who\u2019ve been finding it tough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having put his latest call out for vouchers last week, Mr Hickleton\u2019s drive is an ongoing one.<\/p>\n
Vouchers can be either sent to Mr Hickleton or dropped off at Bannockburn\u2019s Stockdale and Leggo during business hours.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WITH many feeling the cost-of-living pinch, a Bannockburn man is looking to collect vouchers to support those in need. Since the start of the year, Zachary Hickleton has been doing his part for his community, hosting several charity drives and personally donating support packages to people. He said vouchers are an ideal way to help. […]<\/p>\n