WITH up to 200 people sleeping rough this winter, the owners of the Green Dry Clean want to send a message of hope to the city's homeless, and are calling for people to donate pre-loved coats, which they will clean for free, and then donate to Wattle Tree House.
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Owners Fiona Miller, Pamela Dark and Nikita Williams said the concept of a Coat Drive was one that was tossed around during one of their many discussions prior to purchasing The Green Dry Clean.
"We had identified that we would like to have a community focus on homelessness, it is front and centre on our dream board to eventually have a mobile laundry to move around and wash bedding and clothes for the homeless community in the Bathurst and the Central West," they said.
Until they can realise that dream, they decided to do the coat drive now, to do something positive to help the homeless.
Fiona, Pamela and Nikita said pre Covid-19, there were over 200 homeless people in the Central West and that number is now potentially a lot higher.
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"We just decided that if we could help make some peoples nights a little warmer, we would" they said.
"Plus, it gets bloody cold."
When they launched the coat drive, Nikita, Fiona and Pamela said they didn't know what to expect, but said if they could say we offered everyone of the 200 homeless people a winter coat and make the cold nights a little warmer then they would be happy.
The coat drive was launched last week, and so far they said the response has been overwhelming.
"I guess you could say that it has gone viral ,' they said.
"In two days we have had a number of donations and lots of local community members and businesses have shared the face book post and most importantly we have received a number of donations from different people.
"Plus there has been coats for adults and children which is just wonderful. To everyone that has already supported by sharing that we are offering this or by donating a pre-loved coat - Thank you."
They said they hope to do something similar next year.
" We just want the people that are struggling or homeless at the moment to know that we care, that the people of Bathurst care."
.At this stage the trio said the Green Dry Clean at 80A Keppel Street is the only drop off point for donated coats at this time.
"But if any other individuals or businesses would like to start a smaller collection in their community group or work-place, then please just call us on 63361511 and we can pick up the donated coats," they said.
