Charity, West Welcome Wagon is running a winter appeal to support asylum seekers in the west.
West Welcome Wagon chair Chris Scerri said West Welcome Wagon urgently needs funding support.
“We continue to see massive increases in calls for help from the refugees and asylum seekers living in our community,” he said.
“All funds received during our winter appeal will be matched by a generous donor, so now is the perfect time to double your impact and help us deliver more much needed items to those doing it tough this winter.
“It’s been a tough year for all fundraising and we are all noticing it.”
The team is trying to raise $25,000 this winter as the demand for clothes, bedding and heaters increases for the 200 new families they help per year.
“In a typical year we distribute 120 heaters all around winter, we are currently sitting at giving out 280 beds a year.”
The charity is looking for anything that can support those doing it tough this winter.
“We need beds, linen , sheets and of course money to buy things like underwear, socks and doona’s that we can’t accept from donations.
“This winter we have noticed a lot of requests coming through, there has been a huge increase in demand in the last year.
“We have noticed the need increase 60 per cent since the previous year, which is 40 per cent higher than pre COVID numbers.”
Mr Scerri said winter is especially tough for migrants given the huge temperature difference.
“Our southern winter is a huge shock for them coming from a northern summer, therefore they need more warm clothing.
“Seventy per cent of the people we help are children, any donations go towards giving them a fresh start.”
Details: www.givenow.com.au/winterappeal2023
Jennifer Pittorino
