Peninsula residents have opened their hearts to our homeless, raising almost $25,000 during this month’s Sleep In Your Car.

Scores of people slept in cars, tents and in the open at Mornington Park on August 6 as part of the fundraiser, the second time it has been held on the Peninsula, and Fusion Mornington Peninsula spokeswoman Gemma Bell  described the amount raised as “profound”. 

“People are just so invested in this issue,” Gemma said.

Mornington Secondary School captain Kayla was happy to rough it again this year, saying: “You can’t just sit back and expect things to change.”

After shivering through last year’s fundraiser, Kayla, 17, piled on the layers this time and opted to sleep outside in her sleeping bag and blanket, but said she felt “a real sense of insecurity” that made her even more aware of the stresses the homeless face.

“You don’t know what is out there so it is very hard to sleep - it doesn’t feel safe.  Going to work the next day was so hard. Imagine kids going to school the next day – just awful.”

Frankston Rotary member Peter, 69, described his experience as “incredibly moving”.

“I didn’t sleep well, but it pales in comparison to what others live with.  I have a greater empathy for youth at risk.  I was asked to leave Frankston High at a young age, and looking back I can see life could have been very different for me.  If I had not had (my family’s) love and support, I don’t know where I would be.”

Nathan, of Mornington, has had first-hand experience of homelessness, and now that he is doing better for himself he wanted to give back to the community. “I did encourage my friends - I posted on social media and so many people interacted. I raised so much more money than I expected. It is such a worthy cause.”

To find out how you can help our homeless, phone Fusion Mornington Peninsula on 5974 1442.