update: thank you so much for your support everyone, we are incredibly grateful for your help making christmas something positive for Lucy, Joey and Jayne this year. sadly there are countless other people on social media seeking financial support to survive every single day due to cruel government policies that force people to live in poverty. as we have exceeded our target, we encourage you to consider giving directly to other people as an alternative to this fundraiser. if you aren’t active in low income communities and you’re not sure where to start, you can find many people sharing their stories via the Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union on Twitter.

if you are on a low income: we know it is hard to ask for help because those of us who need it have been taught to feel shame and that we are undeserving. if you have a paypal link or your own fundraiser, try and make it easy to find on your social media profiles so that others can support you without you having to give them information directly.

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too many people are spending christmas in a car. that's why First Dog on the Moon Institute produced this handy guide to surviving the holidays without a home.

homeless folks don't need more food banks or op shop clothes. more than anything they need actual money from those who can afford it because the government doesn't seem to care.

we have to look after each other because no one else will.

this fundraiser is to help LF, JK and JP, whose stories appear in First Dog’s guide to christmas in a car. whatever is raised will be divided evenly between them.

but there is more to be done and more you can do. if you can afford it, don't make this a one-off gesture. the best way to help people who have no money is to send them some. even better if you can do it without asking first. if there is someone in your life you know is struggling, don't buy them a present. today and every day, look out for people in your online communities who have a fundraising link.

big charities are not the best way to provide support. don't offer vouchers or suggest ways to cut costs. trust poor people to make the right decisions for themselves about what they need. chip in directly whenever and wherever you can – the impact will be larger than you can ever imagine (unless you've been there too).

this is a collaboration between First Dog on the Moon Institute and antipoverty activists, coordinated by AC. the organisers will not receive any financial gain from this fundraiser.