MEDIA RELEASE
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16 October, 2017
A western Sydney carpark is to be the venue for a couch race which has so far attracted 11 teams from the local community.
Staff from various community and government agencies will take over the top floor of Colo Lane Carpark on Friday, 20 October, as they compete in the Blacktown Coach Surfing Championships.
The fun event has been organised by Blacktown City Council to highlight a serious issue: the number of people experiencing homelessness within the city.
“While we most commonly think people experiencing homelessness sleep rough on the streets, just over half are couch surfers – people staying with friends, extended family, or in overcrowded accommodation,” Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.
“This ‘hidden’ form of homelessness is common in many parts of our city, with statistics showing up to 900 people within Blacktown are currently couch surfing.
“People who turn to couch surfing are often fleeing violence or trapped in poverty.
“The Blacktown couch surfing race aims to not only draw attention to this issue, but to highlight services in the area.
“There are many government and non-government agencies in our community actively working to help local homeless people – there is help out there.”
The Blacktown Couch Surfing Championships coincides with Anti-Poverty Week from 15-21 October.
Mayor Bali said Blacktown City Council has a number of initiatives to address both the causes and effects of homelessness and poverty, including the Homelessness Hub.
“Twice a year Council holds a Homelessness Hub at the Sargents Centre in Blacktown, where people can pick up free food and clothing, while also receiving help with housing, health and finances,” he said.
“The next Homelessness Hub is on Friday, 27 October, from 10am to 1pm, and I encourage anyone who is couch surfing, sleeping rough or having issues with accommodation to come along and get connected to the support they need.”
The details:
WHAT: Blacktown Couch Surfing Championships
WHEN: Friday, 20 October , 10am – noon.
WHERE: Colo Lane Carpark, Blacktown, top floor
WHO: Staff from agencies who support homeless people
Catherine Williams form CatholicCare Social Services, Billy Beggs from LikeMind, Jessica Pracy from Marist 180, Blacktown City Council employees Michael Maxwell and Rachel Yu, and Joshua Lennon from Marist 180 will take part in the Blacktown Couch Surfing Championships.
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