Media Release: Mission Australia to roll out the welcome mats to raise awareness of Brisbane’s homeless

Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout

Today Mission Australia will be rolling out 387 welcome mats in King George Square to raise awareness of Brisbane’s homeless, and its Winter Sleepout campaign.

Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout campaign aims to raise awareness and funds to help combat the growing issue of homelessness in Australia.

The campaign has been running since 1988, and this year Mission Australia is encouraging social teams, work mates and community groups to get together and sleep out for one night during winter and seek sponsorship for their efforts.

Mission Australia State Director Tony Stevenson said he hoped Tuesday’s event in King George Square raised awareness of the issue of homelessness in Brisbane, and encouraged people to get behind Mission Australia’s campaign and organise their own winter sleepout.

“Living without a stable home is only one of the problems faced by people who are homeless,” Mr Stevenson said.

“Many also feel isolated and lonely, often going for days without conversation or even making eye contact with anyone.

“Money raised from the 2010 Winter Sleepout campaign will go towards supporting those people currently facing homelessness, and helping them get back on their feet.”

Details of the event in King George Square are as follows:

• Date: Tuesday, 13 July 2010
• Venue: King Gorge Square, Brisbane City
• Time: 5.30am – 1.30pm

Local restaurant Groove Train in King George Square is getting behind Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout campaign, by offering customers the option of adding $2 to their bill from 12 July to 12 August 2010. Money raised from this initiative will go towards Mission Australia’s 2010 Winter Sleepout campaign and supporting Australia’s homeless.

Mission Australia is one of the country’s longest-running community service organisations. For over 150 years, Mission Australia has been helping to transform the lives of Australians in need. In 2008-2009, Mission Australia assisted more than 13,000 homeless individuals and 950 families through its homeless services.

Additional information regarding Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout can be found at www.facebook.com/mawintersleepout