More than $50k raised at Base Service’s Hike for Homeless
Hike for Homeless organisers are still counting their donations but it is clear that young people have carried the day with nine of the top ten fundraising teams made up of students, youth groups or dance schools.
Toowoomba
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“Man, we have such amazing young people who are so willing to help others.”
This was how a grateful Tiff Spary reflected on the 100s of children and teenagers who rallied for Base Services’ Hike for Homeless fundraiser.
Now in its eighth year, the event has raised an estimated $250,000 for the outreach centre and soup kitchen, with more than $50,000 coming from Saturday’s event.
The walk called on teams to register for a 5km, 10km or 20km hike though Toowoomba’s Jubilee Park.
Nine of the top 10 fundraising teams were composed of students, youth groups or dance schools with the Glennie School taking the top spot with $2890 raised.
Team captain and Glennie School teacher Sue Watts said most of the money came from registrations, with about 50 students, teachers and family members signing up.
“The cause really does bring it home for a lot of our girls,” she said.
“It is something they can relate to, we know how real it is and it is so close to home for them.
“The schools come together and have a bit of banter and try to outdo each other in the fund raiser, but it is really just so we can donate more.
“The students like to do the hike because it is physically challenging but there is also a sense of accomplishment in knowing they have done something good for people in need.”
Top Hike for Homeless Teams
The Glennie School: $2,890
Kiyua Performing Arts: $2,055
Fairholme College: $1,950
St Ursula’s College Toowoomba: $1,317
Hikers with a heart: $1,310
Taylor House – Toowoomba Grammar School: $1,210
BASIC Youth: $858
Hearts of Concordia: $855
AFC Warriors: $837
Angie’s Domestic Duties: $795
There were still donations coming over the weekend but the goal for the day was to raise $60,000, to cover Base Services’ running costs for about four months.
That includes food for its soup kitchen, rent, insurance and backpack beds for people sleeping rough.
Ms Spary said that like every charity, Base Services was feeling the pinch with the cost of food and insurance creeping by about 20-30 per cent each year for the past three years.
“Hike for Homeless helps sustain our programs and raise awareness because it is so easy for homelessness to affect people with so few houses available and with the loss of work through Covid,” she said.
“We are doing on average about 100 meals a day and so many individuals and families are using our service for the first time because they are struggling to have a roof over their head or a meal on the table.
“They might be sleeping in a car, caravan or hotel and for many, the food we provide might be their only cooked meal for the day.”
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Originally published as More than $50k raised at Base Service’s Hike for Homeless