SAWTELL CWA’s long held fundraising ethic of ‘do local, give local’ has seen them deliver a cheque for $7,000 to homelessness advocate Doris Rake (Cowan), who has set a target of raising $100,000 to bring a SleepBus to Coffs Harbour.

“We’ve been reading about Doris’ work for some time and last year we made the decision that what we raised from our major fundraiser, our Christmas gift wrapping service at the Plaza, would go to help the homeless in Coffs Harbour,” Margaret Tees, Vice President of Sawtell CWA told News Of The Area.

The group got in touch with Doris and asked her to be guest speaker at their monthly meeting on Wednesday 3 May, taking the opportunity to present her with a cheque for $7,000. .

“Everyone was more than happy to donate to Doris’ homeless cause in Coffs Harbour,” said Margaret.

Doris told NOTA she is very grateful to receive this generous donation from CWA, a not-for-profit organisation.

The donation has boosted her confidence that, with the continued support of other local businesses, large and small jumping on board, a SleepBus will be providing up to 20 locals experiencing homelessness with a safe night’s sleep, operating seven nights a week, before the winter kicks in.

With her focus on raising money to bring the mobile sleep pod to Coffs Harbour, Doris has been spreading the word amongst the Coffs community.

Besides local business donations Doris is holding a number of fundraising events including a Mother’s Day silent auction taking place on Saturday 13 May at Coffs Harbour Surf Club.

“No one deserves to be homeless so let’s get behind this cause and support our fundraising anyway you can,” said Doris.

For more information and to donate to SleepBus fundraising please contact Doris via email at dmcowan01@gmail.com or call her on 0411 428761.

While CWA Sawtell is big on generosity it is small in numbers, with eighteen current members.

Margaret Tees encourages new member interest.

“We meet on the first Wednesday of the month at our CWA rooms at 21 Elizabeth Street, Sawtell and would welcome some new members,” said Margaret who is contactable on maggietees15@hotmail.com.

By Andrea FERRARI