A warm comfortable bed is something many of us take for granted, according to Mr Michael Sharpe of North Gosford Rotary Club.
Mr Sharpe is coordinating the Coast Shelter’s annual Zoo and Snooze Executive Sleepout on Friday, August 7. This year’s event will attempt to raise $100,000 to support local residents in need.
The aim of the sleepout is to raise funds and awareness though the business community of the issues surrounding homelessness on the Central Coast and wider New South Wales. The sleepout gives business people a small insight to what homeless people experience on a daily basis.
Coast Shelter provides accommodation and support to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness on the Coast. Unfortunately there are a lot of local residents who do not have a permanent home or bed to sleep in, who have to sleep on the street, in a park or car, or sleep on a friend’s couch.
Circumstances beyond the individual’s control such as sudden and unexpected job loss, domestic violence or mental health issues are just some of the problems seen daily at Coast Shelter. The shelter provides support services including accommodation and over 50,000 meals every year.
This year the North Gosford Rotary Club is assisting the Zoo and Snooze Event with their More than a Blanket Project. They hope to raise signifi cant funds to provide local residents who really struggle throughout winter with sturdy swags, warm sleeping bags and blankets.
The project has been coordinated by members of the North Gosford Rotary Club, Peter Pearce and Michael Sharpe. “Unfortunately we have a growing number of locals doing it tough, especially due to a rise in domestic violence, and money raised from this project provides more than a blanket.
“It helps Coast Shelter provide the services that help so many on a daily basis,” said Mr Sharpe.“It is a chance to help raise the awareness of the good works of the teams at Coast Shelter that provide such a wide variety of services and help every day,” he said.
Media release,
26 June 2015 Joshua Lucas,
Dosh Public Relations