GENEROUS community members are learning new ways to better support those in need after taking part in one of the region’s biggest charity fundraising events last week.
Hundreds of people from across the country gathered at The Barn Palais on Friday for the biannual Support Homeless People Luncheon.
Digging deep into their pockets, the 500 people in attendance raised a total of $125,000 for local charity ac.care.
Through an auction, raffle and generous donations, people from across the country showed their support for the homeless who face tough conditions every day.
With auction prizes sold for large amounts, a generous anonymous attendee also donated $5000, while winner of the raffle Bryce Roberts donated all goods back to ac.care.
Chief executive officer Shane Maddocks said he was blown away by the generosity of the community that raised $25,000 more than the previous event in 2016.
“I have been to many events over the years before joining ac.care and none compare to this,” he said.
“It is a premier event and shows what a community can really achieve when it comes together.
“I am really looking forward to meeting more people when we have our brains trust to explore ideas to assist the vulnerable and disadvantaged in the community.”
While many dug deep into their pockets to give to the cause, attendees were also given an insight into homelessness through keynote speaker Tim Guest – who is known for his involvement in the SBS documentary series Filthy Rich and Homeless.
Joining four other wealthy volunteers, Mr Guest was dropped into the heart of Melbourne with no phone or wallet and only secondhand clothing and a sleeping bag to get him through.
“Before going on the show I could quite easily walk past a homeless person like they do not exist,” he said.
“I was quite ignorant in my approach to homelessness thinking why do not you just get a job and stop drinking?
“I had no idea where these much deeper issues came from.”
Learning the difficulties faced by the homeless, Mr Guest said there is much more to the issue than many may realise.
“The thing I found the hardest of all was hearing stories of people who are dealing with homelessness,” he said.
“Many had experienced serious levels of childhood trauma, like domestic violence, sexual abuse and family breakdown.
“What chance does a kid like that have?
“After hearing their stories, rather than putting them down I was left thinking, my God, I do not know how I would even be alive.”
Dealing with heavy rain and freezing temperatures while trying to find money for food and a safe and warm place to sleep, Mr Guest said it gave him a deeper understanding of how everyone can help solve this issue.
“The issue is not houselessness it is homelessness,” he said.
“I do not have a solution, but I know how important it is to have people around you that care and can support you.”
“We need to look at ourselves and how we treat others.
“When I am walking down the street now, I will walk up and introduce myself, have a chat and ask them how they are doing.
“In my experience that does a hell of a lot more than giving them five or 10 bucks.”
With an initial goal to raise $100,000, Support Homeless People Luncheon chairperson Barry Stafford said they are amazed with the community support and desire to help others.
“The money raised is unbelievable, but it is more than that, it is about raising awareness and understanding,” he said at the event on Friday.
“You can go away today and be proud of your support but you can also question what else you can do to help, intellectually or in kind.
“While we can never fully eradicate homelessness in our society we can help put mechanisms in place to a path back to normality and right to a safe environment.
“Each one of us can make a difference but together we can make a real change.”
