The community is being encouraged to give the Sleepbus fundraiser one last push at an upcoming movie event with the $100,000 target edging ever closer.
It comes after a number of significant donations including an anonymous resident ($50,000), Bank of Queensland Bundaberg ($10,000), JRZ Homes ($10,000) and Bundaberg Regional Council ($5000).
The fundraiser was launched by the Bundaberg Housing and Homelessness Forum in July and, following overwhelming community support, the group is just $15,000 short of reaching its target after just five months.
Mayor Jack Dempsey said Council was pleased to join with the community to contribute to the Sleepbus fundraiser.
“Council has resolved to donate $5000 towards a Sleepbus for our region in addition to the support we have offered through the coordination and hosting of two movie fundraisers,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“It’s fantastic to see such a high level of community support from residents to businesses for this important cause.”
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Mental Health Service Integration Coordinator Jade Law is a passionate member of the housing and homelessness forum.
She said there was a significant need for the bus.
“The Sleepbus will allow people to have an option of a safe night sleep within the community,” Ms Law said.
“Currently there is limited options especially in that short term capacity.
“The Sleepbus will allow people to have different options, especially when it’s raining … they can head to the bus and be safe and dry.”
From movie events, raffles, community donations and sponsorship the forum has been overwhelmed with the support for the Sleepbus fundraiser.
“The community support has been amazing to help us get to this point,” Ms Law said.
“We’re definitely grateful for the sponsorship that has been able to get us to nearly reaching our target.
“We’re fairly confident that from the raffle sales and the movie ticket sales that we should hopefully reach the target.”
From there, the forum will work with the Sleepbus organisation to have the bus fitted out to meet the needs of the Bundaberg Region community, considering options like family or couple pods alongside single pods.
What is a Sleepbus?
Sleepbus is an Australian-based innovation which provides immediate, temporary support for homelessness by creating a safe, comfortable place to sleep.
Each Sleepbus can provide up to 20 people a sleep “pod” with toilet, climate control, reading light, USB chargers and free-to-air digital television and support services channel.
Anyone seeking a safe bed for the night on Sleepbus doesn’t need a referral or to book ahead, they just turn up between 8. 30 pm and 10 pm.
Pets are also welcome in sleep pods with their owners.
Sleepbus founder Simon Rowe said not having access to a safe place to sleep put people at risk both physically and mentally.
“When a person gets access to a safe place to sleep, things can change quickly,” Mr Rowe said.
“It can improve mental and physical health, decrease associated medical expenses and help make a pathway out of homelessness a little easier to see.”
Once the Bundaberg Region secures a Sleepbus it would have a designated parking spot where it stays from 8 pm until 8 am on nights when it is in operation.
Movie one last push for Sleepbus fundraiser
The Christmas Gift from Bob Sleepbus fundraiser follows on from the first successful movie fundraiser hosted by the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre.
This 2020 British Christmas biographical drama film stars Luke Treadaway, reprising his role as Bowen, a struggling street musician who finds himself the target of an animal welfare investigation that threatens to take away his beloved cat at Christmas.
There will also be a fundraising raffle, which will be drawn after the movie.
Tickets are available now at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre and from 3 pm before the movie on Saturday. There is a great array of prizes, generously donated by local businesses and individuals).
All proceeds from movie and raffle ticket sales will go towards purchasing a Sleepbus for Bundaberg.
Attend the Sleepbus fundraiser
Date: 10 December
Time: 4 pm
Cost: $12 general admission, $100 VIP experience (includes preshow food and beverages commencing at 3pm)
Location: Moncrieff Entertainment Centre
Book to attend the Sleepbus fundraiser at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre here.
Another option would be a backpacker hostel with worker shortages both during & following COVID a homeless person could more easily secure space & work on a farm. This bus will be a great addition homelessness needs as many answers as possible.