Sponsors and donations are still needed for the event which will be held at the St Jospeh’s College Sports Oval on August 4 and so are participants ($20 per person to take part).
Anyone is welcome from business people, CEO’s to families and school. In fact ANYONE can come to the event ($20 per person to participate) and support Homelessness Week. And raise awareness of the homeless plight in our area.
All money raised goes to “You’ve Got A Friend” a 100% not-for-profit incorporated charity supporting the homeless and marginalised in the Tweed Heads, Chinderah, Coolangatta, Murwillumbah, Mt Warning, Uki and outlying areas.
The group also operate an Op Shop in South Tweed.
The organization consists of over 70 dedicated volunteers, and 45 students and teachers who join each week as they support the homeless on the streets.
Six schools support the group with donations of food each week and they currently provide more 300 meals a week, support three housing commission complexes, seven caravan parks and a number of single mothers, fathers and their children. The group’s only source of income is through donations and fundraising.
Each year “Jimbo’s Sleepout” has attracted more people and is getting more popular. It involves people sleeping in cardboard boxes on the sports oval at St. Joseph’s College.
The event starts on Saturday 4 August at 4pm. Fun games are run and prizes for the best sleeping box. A basic meal and a movie ends the night and lights out at 11.00pm. Next morning is a breakfast before everyone heads home by 10am. There is also have security throughout the night and police regularly patrol the area.
This year You’ve Got A Friend have teamed with the Count Financial Group, with Julie West of Cumming/West coming on board to help out. The group has already donated $5,000 to the cause with a commitment to increase this to $10,000 if they can raise an additional $10,000 leading up to the event.
For more information www.youhaveafriend.org.au, Contact John Lees – 0402 808 727 Julie West – 0412 899 934.
