Orange Sky: Townsville volunteer Nathan O’Donnell reveals harsh reality of life on the street

A Townsville volunteer who spent seven years of his youth living on the streets, sometimes sleeping in dumpsters, is now giving back to others struggling with homelessness.

A Townsville volunteer who spent seven years of his youth living on the streets, sometimes sleeping in dumpsters, is now giving back in a big way to others struggling with homelessness.

After running away from home at eight, Nathan O’Donnell spent seven long years of his youth living on the streets of Townsville.

The now 33-year-old said after going through a “bad patch” with his family, he decided to go out on his own and fend for himself.

“I was sleeping on the streets, in parks and even in dumpsters, but I’d have nightmares about waking up one morning and finding myself at the dump,” he said.

“I could never really sleep that well because I was constantly thinking who’s around me. Am I going to get mugged? Am I going to get bashed? It was scary and most of all lonely.”

After experiencing seven long years of being homeless himself, Nathan O’Donnell is giving back in a big way as a volunteer team leader with Orange Sky.

Mr O’Donnell said he began sleeping in the garden of a home in Wulguru that he assumed had been abandoned due to the overgrown grass.

“I kept going there because it seemed like a safe spot for me, but one morning I was getting ready to leave when this little old lady came out of the house,” he said.

“We had a chat, and she pretty much took me in.

“I helped her clean up her house and yard, and she gave me a roof over my head until I got back on my feet.”

Mr O’Donnell said he believes the elderly woman’s kindness essentially saved his life when he felt like he had nowhere to go and no one else to turn to.

With a job in age care, the 33-year-old says he’s now in a position in his life where he can return that kindness to others experiencing homelessness with Orange Sky.

The volunteer-run service ensures people experiencing homelessness have access to free laundry and shower services as well as a place to sit down for a genuine chat.

Mr O’Donnell, who’s now the team leader of the Townsville volunteer shift, said he wished he had access to something similar when he needed it most.

“When I was homeless, I had to go to caravan parks to wash my clothes or scavenge for money to have fresh clothes because there was no Orange Sky back then,” he said.

“It’s such an amazing service, and I encourage anyone who can to either consider volunteering or taking part in the Sudsy Challenge.”

Now in its fourth year, The Sudsy Challenge aims to wash away the stigmas surrounding homelessness by challenging Aussies to wear the same clothes across three consecutive days in an effort to spark a conversation about homelessness and support the increasing number of people doing it tough by raising funds to help Orange Sky continue to deliver their free laundry and shower services.

The second Sudsy Challenge kicks off on Friday, September 16.

For more information about the Sudsy Challenge, visit: www.thesudsychallenge.com.au

Originally published as Orange Sky: Townsville volunteer Nathan O’Donnell reveals harsh reality of life on the street