When fire ripped through the Bayside Lodge aged care home in Brisbane over the weekend, quick-thinking staff effected the miraculous escape of all 28 residents – but many were left with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.
Thankfully, Thread Together – an initiative of Anglicare – was ready to spring into action. The mobile wardrobe van, which distributes excess clothing from manufacturers to vulnerable members of the community, is giving brand-new clothes to every resident affected by the fire.
“When I heard the news over the weekend, my heart just went out to all residents, staff and their families as it’s a terrifying situation to be involved in,” said Thread Together Volunteer Coordinator Kate Littmann-Kelly (pictured centre, with Dependable Care Senior Support Coordinator Jodie Simpson and Bayside Lodge Proprietor Joanne Tomada).
“Thread Together, Anglicare Southern Queensland and the Anglican Parish at Indooroopilly are working together to assist all residents who have lost their possessions and we will be providing brand-new clothes this morning to help get them back onto their feet.”
According to Kate, Thread Together – which was launched last February, sponsored by Bendon Lingerie – has assisted more than 2,000 people at 100 sites, including Ukrainian refugees and flood victims.
“We visit a range of different government, community and church services including women’s homelessness services, refugee support organisations, services that support young people in the justice system or at risk of homelessness – really, any service supporting people who are doing it a bit tough.
“The demand just keeps growing – with the pandemic, with people unemployed and the housing crisis and the Queensland floods, it’s so important that we can take at least one pressure off people and keep them warm and comfortable,” she said.
Proof that good deeds never go out of fashion.
