After months of fundraising, grants and community support, Safe Sleep Mackay excitedly announced that funding has been secured for Mackay’s first sleepbus.
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.
The $100,000 funding goal was reached last week thanks to the Mackay Regional Council Community Grant, Run for MI Life, BHP Benefitting My Community, a private foundation, and public donations.
“Everybody, whether it’s a business or whether it’s the locals, really see the benefit and the need in the community,” said Lisa Jamieson of Safe Sleep Mackay and Orange Sky.
“There are people on the street, but there’s also a lot of people sitting on the edge there at the moment, so if we all get together and do our little bit, it all makes a difference, whether it’s putting funds in or volunteering their time.”
The first sleepbus is expected to arrive in Mackay between December 2023 and early 2024, with fundraising continuing for an additional two buses.
Statistics from a local women’s hostel shows that there is a very limited supply of crisis accommodation for women in the Mackay Region, proving the need for a woman and children-only pink sleepbus.
“It’s there to remove any of the barriers for women coming to look for a safe night sleep,” Ms Jamieson said.
“Whilst we don’t have enough, there are more housing options for men in crisis than there is for women, so you’re seeing women and children with nowhere to go.”
A third sleepbus is hoped to be purchased to service Sarina.
“When you’re talking to the service providers down there, the need in Sarina is just as great as it is in Mackay,” Ms Jamieson said.
Safe Sleep Mackay are continuing to raise the additional $200,000 required for two more buses and are welcoming sponsorship and donations.
There are corporate sponsorship opportunities available to local businesses and many opportunities to volunteer.
“If you can’t help financially, there are other ways you can help once it gets here,” Ms Jamieson said.
“It’s not the ultimate solution and everybody accepts that, but they know something needs to be happening sooner rather than later.”
For more information, find Safe Sleep Mackay on Facebook or contact Lisa Jamieson on 0427 083 481.
A sleepbus provides temporary accommodation to those in need. Image supplied
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
