Blanket coverage: Supercats Nathan Freind and Jamie Medved rug up for the homeless appeal with GMHBA’s Radford White.
By Michelle Herbison
BASKETBALL fans will help keep the region’s homeless population warm this winter with donations of blankets at a game this weekend.
Leaders for Geelong’s Luke Britnell said his Rugged Up project included a blanket drive at Geelong Supercats’ last match of the season.
A group of four participants from Committee for Geelong’s two-year leadership program were behind the drive, Mr Britnell said.
“The hardship Geelong families and individuals face struck a chord with our project group and we’ve developed a way that will help.”
The Rugged Up project had so far worked with Salvos Connect, Salvation Army and Barwon Youth to provide 120 blankets to the homeless but a “real shortage” remained, Mr Britnell said.
“On any one night there could be 500 people homeless in Geelong, including sleeping in cars, couch-surfing and sleeping on the streets. This year the cost of living has gone up and this seems to be an increasing issue.”
Mr Britnell said the group aimed to collect 500 blankets at the game to be distributed “immediately”.
“We’ll take anything as long as it’s clean.”
Mr Britnell said collection bins at VicRoads, GMHBA outlets and Geelong Arena could continue to accept blankets throughout August.
The Supercats play Bendigo Braves 5.30pm Saturday at Geelong Arena.
