$40,000 raised for homeless in Toowoomba

THE Homeless for a Week challenge starts tonight and already more than $40,000 has been raised.

It is an amazing feat, almost halfway to the goal of $100,000 without the sleepout beginning.

Basement Soup Kitchen coordinator Nat Spary has organised the challenge for the past three years, in a bid to raise awareness for homelessness.

He also aims to raise money to support the soup kitchen, which feeds thousands of the city’s homeless each year.

For the past 24 years the Base Soup Kitchen has provided free lunch, swags, homeless food hampers, clothing, hygiene packs and access to support services for people in need.

Mr Spary will live on the streets from tonight until Monday, August 7 and 38 community and business leaders will join him tonight.

Those joining him were encouraged to raised money for the cause.

Mr Spary’s wife Tiffany raised the most, with a $10,000 donation from Country Heritage Feeds.

Armstrong Group’s Jacqui Armstrong has also reached her target of $5000, and hopes to bump it up to $7000 today.

“It is amazing we have raised so much already. People have sponsored those participating in the sleepout and without them we wouldn’t have reached $40,000; it is mind blowing,” Mr Spary said.

“I meet so many people who want to donate and help out in some way.

“Toowoomba is known for being a generous city.”

Mr Spary will brave the second night alone, something he hasn’t done in previous years.

“I am feeling very safe that 38 people will be joining me on the first night but the second night I will be alone,” he said.

“That thought makes me a little scared.”

Toowoomba is known for being a generous city.

— Nat Spary