Sunday Mail Blanket Appeal: Adelaide’s inner city schools band together to support homeless this winter

Inner-city schools are banding together to join The Sunday Mail’s Blanket Appeal, in aid of those most vulnerable this winter. Here’s what they’re doing – and how you can donate.

Inner-city schools are banding together to support those most vulnerable this winter, planning fundraisers to help keep people warm as the mercury drops.

Various campuses are planning fundraisers including a winter sleep-out, casual day and food events, to raise money for the Sunday Mail Blanket Appeal.

The long-running appeal will, through the Hutt St Centre, distribute sleeping bags, waterproof swags and winter coats among the city’s most needy people, including some affected by homelessness for the first time due to rental shortages and huge hikes to basic living costs.

St Mary’s and Christian Brothers colleges, both in the city, will join St Raphael’s School, Parkside and St George College, Mile End, in hosting activities to raise funds.

St George College will ask for gold coin donations on a winter casual day, run a hot chocolate fundraiser, and also host a hot lunch event.

Vice-captain Alex Kambanou-Nikolic said “everyone deserves a blanket in this cold weather” and the school was happy to help others keep warm.

Principal Peter Karamoshos said the school took responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of everyone in its community.

“The Hutt St Mission do an amazing job of supporting the most vulnerable in our community and our college community will do what we can to help,” he said.

The paper’s Blanket Appeal began during the Great Depression and was revived in 1959.

St Marys deputy college captain (justice) Abby Cenko said the Blanket Appeal was an “amazing initiative”.

Abby Cenko, 17, Alex Kambanou-Nikolic, 17, Georgia Alexander, 12, and Andre Riccardi, 18 at Veale Gardens in Adelaide, fundraising for the Blanket Appeal. Picture: Matt Loxton

The school’s participation, through a winter sleep-out fundraiser, adds to its wider support for those less fortunate this winter.

That has included collecting blankets and jumpers for Vinnies’ Winter Appeal and regularly donating soup to the Hutt St Centre.

“The school has a big social justice program that we run with a lot of different initiatives,” Abby said.

Donate to The Advertiser and Sunday Mail Blanket Appeal here, by July 31.

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Originally published as Sunday Mail Blanket Appeal: Adelaide’s inner city schools band together to support homeless this winter