In a heartwarming display of community unity, Safe Sleep Mackay proudly announced the achievement reaching its $300,000 fundraising goal. With this financial milestone secured, the organisation has wasted no time and has promptly ordered three crucial Sleepbuses, providing essential sleep solutions to the local homeless population.
Through a combination of community grants and generous donations, residents joined forces with a common purpose: to enhance the quality of life for everyone in our region.
Safe Sleep Mackay would like to express its heartfelt appreciation to: Mackay Regional Council, Run for MI Life, BMA Benefiting My Community Fund, Mackay Community Foundation, Port of Mackay Rotary, Macrossan & Amiet Charitable Foundation, Freemason Lodges of the Mackay Region, Gambling Community Benefit Fund.
Housing affordability is affecting communities across Australia, in that respect Mackay is not different to other regions.
Lisa Jamieson from Orange Sky and the Safe Sleep Mackay committee said what makes the Mackay community stand out is its generosity and the expediency in coming together to find a solution.
“Remarkably, the Mackay region will have three buses to provide safe sleeping options for those in need,” Lisa said.
“The Sunshine Coast is the only other location that has multiple buses with two, and this funding milestone has been achieved in 8 months!”
“We look forward to the first bus arriving in the first quarter of 2024.
“This will bring another opportunity for our community to be involved and make a difference to someone else’s life. The buses will need volunteers, and ongoing financial support, to operate in both Mackay and Sarina.”
Mackay's Sleepbus received a $30,000 Community Grant from Mackay Regional Council, with Community Grant Committee chair Cr Laurence Bonaventura saying council was happy to be able to contribute.
“Sleepbus provides a temporary accommodation service, getting people off the street by offering safe overnight accommodation in a bus with ten sleep pods for those who would otherwise be sleeping rough,” he said.
Orange Sky Service Coordinator Lisa Jamieson Australian Street Aid Project CEO Kayleigh Brewster have raised $300,000 to order three sleepbuses for Mackay’s most vulnerable. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
