Fundraiser for homeless veterans to be held in Townsville this weekend

“They’ve gone across serving their country, and the last thing we want for them to be is on the streets.” See how Townsville RSL is hoping to help.

Townsville RSL Veterans services coordinator Adam West is coordinating the Townsville RSL's Veteran Homelessness Sleepout. Picture: Evan Morgan

A sleepout to raise much needed funds and community awareness about Veteran homelessness will be held this weekend.

The inaugural Townsville RSL Adventures Veteran Homeless Sleepout gives participants a chance to make new connections and friendships while helping to raise funds for homeless veterans through the RSL Queensland Homelessness program.

Townsville RSL Veterans services co-ordinator Adam West said the inaugural event will raise money for homeless Veterans the organisation helps in the Townsville community each week.

“If we can get the community thinking about these Veterans who have put their lives on the line,” he said.

“They’ve gone across serving their country, and the last thing we want for them to be is on the streets - we think they deserve more than that.

“When they seek assistance we certainly help them out. But we certainly are cognisant that

Townsville RSL Veterans services coordinator Adam West is coordinating the Townsville RSL's Veteran Homelessness Sleepout. Picture: Evan Morgan

they’ve gone and fought for their country.”

He said it was hard to state how many Veterans were homeless in the Garrison City.

“Through discussions with other organisations like the Red Cross and Salvation Army, we believe there’s around about 10 Veterans across the Townsville community, but there’s obviously probably a significant amount of shame or embarrassment for those people, as their lives might be in significant turmoil.

“So some people wouldn’t have identified as a Veteran and come forward.

“We only really know the ones that we deal with and support here at the RSL, and unfortunately, it’s when they need the support they’re coming forward and as soon as that happens, we then get them the support they need.

“Recently, we had a homeless veteran come in, and we were able to give emergency accommodation. We got them a free cup of coffee. We’ve given them a meal here at the RSL, but the support that really we can provide is through other agencies.

“So we work very closely with the Salvation Army. With emergency housing. There’s a lot of a lot of organisations who are willing to help and Red Cross for us have been amazing with emergency accommodation.

“We had another Veteran recently, we got him into three night’s emergency accommodation. He’s got a bed, he’s got somewhere safe, and he’s got a shower. So I think those are the important things. He can launder his clothes - the basic necessities that we take for granted, we’re able to provide that.”

West said the homelessness sleepout was being held at the Thuringowa RSL starting on Saturday August 31 at 4pm, then overnight.

“It gives us an opportunity to go out to the Thuringowa RSL and put people in an uncomfortable sort of situation, people are allowed to have their swags and tents out there, but it’s just about being out in the elements.”

There will be live music, food, drink and giveaways, a free breakfast and a talk from the Salvation Army about homelessness in Townsville with the $10 entry going to support homeless Veterans.

The event is open to both families, couples, friends and individuals and to register contact Pauline McGuire at [e-mail] or by calling 4759 9500.

Originally published as Fundraiser for homeless veterans to be held in Townsville this weekend