An eight-hour blues benefit gig to support the homeless will be held in Altona in September.
Guitarist Greg Dodd started the Blues for Lost Souls music charity event five years ago to raise money and collect food and clothing for people on the street.
For the past two years, the event has raised enough to buy two vans for charities Anonymous X and The Big Umbrella.
Dodd is performing with two bands on the bill, which is headlined by Australian blues legend Chris Wilson.
Dodd said money raised would go directly to the charities helping the homeless.
“It’s something that is under-resourced and under-funded and people are sleeping on the streets,” he said.
“My wife works within the mental illness field and domestic violence – she’s an outreach worker – so, of course, I know what goes on out in the world.
“I’ve been into the city many, many times, obviously, and I’ve seen people sleeping on the footpath and it’s not good, you know, and it’s getting worse.
“Being a musician, we can hold these type of events … if there’s some sort of crisis somewhere musicians are generally asked to put on something or be part of an event.”
Since Dodd’s event started, his muso friends in regional Victoria have held sister events supporting the cause.
Blues for Lost Souls will run from 3-11pm on Saturday, September 9, at Altona RSL Club. Tickets cost $45 (general admission) – $50 (table seating). Details: bit.ly/2tKTC7e
