Funding has been secured for the region’s first two sleepbuses, with Safe Sleep Mackay urging the community to rally behind a third.
Two buses will be located in Mackay, one open to everyone and the other pink sleepbus for women and children only, while the third will be located in Sarina.
Lisa Jamieson of Safe Sleep Mackay thanked the community for their support but said $70,000 is still required for the third sleepbus, as well as volunteers to operate them.
“We couldn’t do the fundraising without the community, and we can’t operate the buses without the community,” she said.
“It’s got to be a community effort to get them here and a community effort to sustain it.”
With 20 beds onboard, televisions, toilets, charging facilities and storage, sleepbus promises a safe and restful night’s sleep for those who have nowhere else to go.
“While we all know housing is the ultimate solution, we know it’s not something that’s going to happen overnight but at least these buses give that temporary short-term relief and are that interim solution until something more permanent can be done,” Ms Jamieson said.
“These are all human beings; the majority do not want to be homeless,” added Kayleigh Brewster.
“Life on the streets is not fun, they aren’t out there with no responsibilities having a great time, they’re really struggling.”
Ms Jamieson hopes to see the first two sleepbuses in Mackay by Easter next year, with a third not far behind.
To find out more about donating and volunteering, visit www.sleepbus.org/fundraisers/sleepbusmackay/mackay-needs-a-sleepbus.
Lisa Jamieson and Kayleigh Brewster of Safe Sleep Mackay. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
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