Region’s Youth Play Their Part

Local homeless support services have shared their gratitude for the support of the region’s youth.

A group of students from Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School (KMG) have been collecting plastic bags and turning them into mats, providing comfort and insulation for rough sleepers.

As part of the Life Skills program, students learnt to crochet, taking strips of plastic bags and crocheting them into mats.  

The crocheted mats provide a reliable, durable, and lightweight sleeping surface for those experiencing homelessness.

The mats were recently donated to Orange Sky who then shared the mats amongst Australian Street Aid Project, CASA and ATSICH for them to distribute to their clients in need.

Students and staff from KMG also raised $310 for Safe Sleep Mackay's sleepbus initiative.

Safe Sleep Mackay has also received donations from Mackay North State School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School where students and staff raised funds to help secure the region’s sleepbuses.  

In other efforts of community support, Pioneer State High School recently collected cans of food, donating around 1,100 tins to Australian Street Aid Project, while St Brendan's Catholic Primary School’s 'Winter Warmer' appeal is currently on, seeing students collect socks, beanies, scarves and travel wipes to donate to Orange Sky.

Orange Sky continues to work with St Patrick's College as they have for the last three years, with the school’s year 10-12 students making and serving breakfast twice a week for those in need.

During school holidays, the tongs are passed onto Teen Shed Mackay, who first took over the breakfast service in the 2022-23 Christmas school holidays and have been back every school holiday since.  

“You can see that the youth of our community are trying to do something,” said Lisa Jamieson of Orange Sky and Safe Sleep Mackay.

“They know that people out there are doing it tough and if we can instill that in the youth, it’s going to make a better community all around.”

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KMG students recently donated sleeping mats and a cheque to support services throughout the community

Mackay North State School was presented with a certificate of appreciation after a donation to Safe Sleep Mackay

Teen Shed Mackay donate their time to cook breakfast for Orange Sky every school holidays

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Sudsy Challenge Returns

Orange Sky is inviting the community to “keep your kit on in support of people experiencing homelessness”.

The Sudsy Challenge tasks people with wearing the same clothes for three days in the month of September to raise awareness and funds for people experiencing homelessness or hardship.

“That’s another call to arms where the community can get involved and take action,” said Orange Sky Mackay Service Leader Lisa Jamieson.

“It’s about giving people an appreciation of what it’s like to be in those clothes.”

Visit www.thesudsychallenge.com.au to find out more.

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