Inspired by the Victorian government's relentless efforts to cope with homelessness, a group of Melbourne insurance brokers has teamed up with a national charity to provide portable shelter to the street-sleeping homeless.
Gallagher's Melbourne team has raised considerable funds to support Backpack Bed for Homeless, which provides life-saving emergency backpack beds to homeless people living on the street.
Last year alone, the organisation – which operates solely using public donations – supplied 4,100 backpack beds.
“Homelessness is very visible, especially at Burke Street and the train stations and it’s there all the time,” said David de Sa, internal account executive at Gallagher. “As a company we think it’s important to help the community which gives you a lot of perspective and allows you to appreciate the things you have. I have spoken with those living on the streets and the thing you realise is they are just like you and me.”
A new ABS study found that 49,200 people will sleep on Australian streets this year, up 17% from 2011.
Tony Clark, CEO at Backpack Bed for Homeless, lauded Gallagher's efforts to ease Melbourne’s homeless crisis.
“Gallagher’s insurance brokers are a prime example of a company rallying together to help street sleeping homeless,” Clark said. “I would like to thank them for raising much needed funds for those doing it extremely tough on the streets of Melbourne by providing them with a backpack bed.”
