Giving the coat off your back
Coats collected at a Westpac office in Sydney during the appeal. (Credit: Photo courtesy of Westpac).
Thanks to the generosity of people across New South Wales, people on the streets will have a coat to keep them warm this winter.
The ‘Coats for Everyone’ appeal, run by McGrath Real Estate with The Salvation Army, saw more than 2,000 coats donated from 1 to 4 July, with more arriving every day. Coats were donated at a drop off box in Martin Place in the Sydney city centre, and at many McGrath offices.
‘Coats for Everyone’ is the vision of long-time McGrath Real Estate Agent Bernadette Berlyn, after she experienced a bitter cold night last year when taking part in a sleep out.
“In the first of year launching ‘Coats For Everyone’, I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed with the success and momentum we’ve achieved. I would not have reached my target to collect over 2,000 warm coats without The Salvation Army’s undivided support,” says Ms Berlyn.
The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory Community Fundraising Director Andrew Hill says he is delighted by the public response to the appeal.
“I watched as people took coats off their own back and donated them. Bernadette Berlyn from McGrath Real Estate is amazing. I’m so happy her original vision now means many people have warm coats this winter,” Mr Hill says.
The Salvation Army will distribute the coats to residents of various social service centres throughout Sydney, and send around 300 to centres in Bathurst and Orange.
Special thanks go to Sparke Helmore Lawyers, KPMG, Westpac, Walsh Bay Vessel Management, VFX Print Group, Oraco, Coca Cola, OVViO Organics, Enmore Design School, and to everyone who donated a coat for the appeal.
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