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Freedom Van Fundraiser

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So imagine you're living in a physically and mentally abusive relationship, putting up with being a punching bag, being told how useless and stupid you are continually, having your money stolen and being isolated from friends and family. You have been seeing a social worker for a year, living in hell, walking on eggshells every day, waiting for a suitable house to become available, and one has finally, finally come up. You can sign the lease and move in next week, and finally be free to live your life free of control and violence but...where will you get money for a mover?

Physical possessions are often one of the last things people consider in terms of domestic violence, but leaving can be incredibly daunting if you have to consider buying an entire household of furniture again (often on Parenting Payment or Newstart) and for parents especially fridges and washing machines are expensive. For children, this can be especially traumatic as children attach great importance to sentimental objects and having to start all over again with nothing can be detrimental for their development and sense of security.

Last year in the Penrith, Blue Mountains and Blacktown LGAs alone 1716 women and children were turned away from refuge accommodation because there was no room. Domestic violence is a huge and growing issue and unfortunately government response seems to be to decrease, rather than increase, services, forcing the private sector and charities to fill the gap.

One service that does not currently exist is a moving service specifically to assist victims of domestic violence. Movers can often cost upwards of $1000 for a household of items, but replacing an entire household of furniture (even just essentials like beds and whitegoods) can cost more. Even searching for second hand donations is an issue for those without a van to transport items in.

So CUDL want to help! We are having a fundraiser with the aim of purchasing a second-hand van and becoming the first not-for-profit in NSW to offer a free moving service to victims of domestic violence, increasing their security and safety, reducing their moving and starting again costs and enabling them to leave faster.

The van will also be used to facilitate our street kitchen- picking up donations and transporting them to the site on Sundays. We have been running this street kitchen every Sunday for around a year now, as a continuation of the tent city in Martin Place, and have established a great relationship with the local community.

This will be an amazing service that could help make a difference to the lives of so many women and children, but we need your help! Anything you can give would be appreciated, even just a share on social media would help us out.

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Donations 

  • Stephen Francis
    • $2,384 
    • 3 yrs
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Organizer

Jessica Spence
Organizer
Haymarket NSW

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