Hayley Ferris, Jade Gilespie (front), Elaine Palmer, Deb Trimmer (middle), Cathie Hemmings and Julie Greer (back) prepare for the couch surfing time trials.
Jon Hewson d471708
Camera IconHayley Ferris, Jade Gilespie (front), Elaine Palmer, Deb Trimmer (middle), Cathie Hemmings and Julie Greer (back) prepare for the couch surfing time trials. Jon Hewson d471708 Credit: Supplied/Jon Hewson d471708

Mandurah: Homelessness Week event to shed light on plight

Jill BurgessMandurah Coastal Times

PASSAGES Youth Resource Centre will host couch surfing time trials as part of a Homelessness Week event in Mandurah on August 3.

The couches have been decorated by local young people and organisations.

For the past 10 years, Westaus Crisis and Welfare Services has co-ordinated the homelessness awareness event on the eastern foreshore.

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The event is the biggest of its kind outside Perth.

This year, more than 35 local services and businesses will attend or donate to provide information, clothing, food, toiletries, haircuts, entertainment or activities for the homeless and anyone else who wishes to participate.

Homelessness can happen to anyone and not all those experiencing homelessness are visible.

Many are living with relatives or friends, acquaintances, in shelters, transitional housing, couch surfing, camping, sleeping in cars, in sheds or other improvised dwellings.

According to 2011 statistics, 25 per cent of the homeless population is under 18.

Donations of new or nearly new blankets (they must be clean), doonas, sleeping bags or warm clothing can be donated to Westaus Crisis, HALO or St Vincent de Paul.

Food can be dropped into Coast FM and will be donated to local services.

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