Mother-of-six praises Toowoomba’s Base Services ahead of Homeless for a Week campaign

Julie Lugg and five of her children were huddled in a tent in the winter cold three years ago. But thanks to the help of one of the city’s most beloved organisations, she’s back on her feet.

Homeless for a Night sleepout guest speaker Julie Lugg knows how terrifying sleeping rough can be, at one point living in a tent with her children during the middle of winter in Toowoomba.

When Julie Lugg speaks to the hundreds of people participating in the Homeless for a Night sleep-out on Tuesday, she’ll be reminded of the winter nights she spent in a tent with five of her children.

“It was rough, because you wake up every day and not sure if the kids are going to eat properly again,” she said.

Now in rental accommodation and with a second job, the Toowoomba woman has credited the Base Services with helping her family find their feet again.

Ms Lugg, who moved to Toowoomba with her six children after her husband left suddenly, said the three months she spent living rough had long-lasting consequences.

“It’s draining, and by the end of the day you’re mentally exhausted,” she said.

After three of her children got traineeships at the Base, it gave Ms Lugg the confidence to apply for one herself.

Base co-ordinator Nat Spary said Ms Lugg personified why the Homeless for a Night campaign was so important.

“I really believe we’re in a housing crisis, we see people every day coming here pushing trolleys and there are tents under bridges,” he said.

The sleep-out starts on Monday, with the campaign having already raised $80,000.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You can still support the Base Services’ Homeless for a Night and Homeless for a Week campaigns, which kick off on Monday.

You can either sign up to do the sleepout or donate to people already doing it.

You can also support Nat Spary’s bid to sleep rough for seven days.

For more information, head to homelessforaweek.com.au.