By Charlene Macaulay
This winter, spare a thought for those sleeping rough.
That’s the word from Uniting Wyndham, which is calling on locals to be generous and donate new blankets for people experiencing homelessness for its annual Blanket Wyndham appeal. The organisation will host a blanket drive and community event on August 9 for Homelessness Week, which will include a sausage sizzle, kids activities and a number of Wyndham support services.
Uniting Wyndham youth housing support care worker Caroline Carreno said the community donated 129 new blankets during the 2017 Blanket Wyndham drive, which were distributed to people and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or experiencing financial hardship.
In Wyndham, there has been a 76 per cent increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness between 2011 and 2016, according to Census data.
This year, Ray White Werribee and Loan Market Werribee have partnered with Uniting Wyndham for the blanket drive, last week delivering five car loads of new blankets and bedding to Uniting Wyndham.
Ray White Werribee director Michelle Chick said her team raised $1000 by making coffees during last month’s Winter Street Party, and used the money to buy the goods.
Loan Market director Doreen Lehmann said clients had also donated blankets for the cause.
Blanket Wyndham will be held at Werribee’s Station Place from 3-5pm on August 9.
