The Collingwood Football Club enjoyed a red-letter day on Tuesday when it raised more than $1 million for Melbourne’s homeless.
The club’s inaugural Collingwood Cares Giving Day raised a total of $1,058,562 over a one day period through the generosity of the club’s members, supporters, corporate partners and the community at large. In excess of 2500 individual donors contributed to the cause.
The entire seven figure sum will be put Collingwood’s homelessness program, Magpie Nest.
Magpie Nest is a partnership between Collingwood and the Salvation Army that provides housing and mental and physical health services for the homeless.
Major Brendan Nottle from the Salvation Army was at the Holden Centre this morning to receive a cheque for $1,058,562 from Collingwood AFL coach Nathan Buckley.
“I thank Collingwood for its show of heart, its compassion and its determination to help,” Major Nottle said.
“These funds will go directly to people in need and the impact on their lives cannot be overestimated when you consider their circumstances. Homelessness is a scourge but Collingwood, through its Giving Day, proves that we can do something about it.”
Currently, approximately 125 people are housed in 46 Magpie Nest homes, many of them women and children. The funds raised will go directly to providing extra accommodation and support services to help more people out of homelessness. It is an important step towards the goal of establishing 100 Magpie Nest homes.
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp has commended the club on its effort.
“Providing secure and affordable housing along with support services is so critical to reduce homeless in our city,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We all have a role to play in making sure we remain a caring city that puts people first and I’d like to commend the Collingwood faithful for digging deep and making a difference.”
Collingwood’s CEO Mark Anderson thanked all donors for their overwhelming support on the day.
“This is the first appeal of its kind at Collingwood and we have exceeded expectations,” Anderson said.
“As a club we are so proud to be able to put the $1 million towards assisting the most vulnerable members of our community.
“The exceptional work of Magpie Nest will continue to grow and be supported all thanks to our members and supporters who generously contributed on the day. I would also like to acknowledge the exceptional and very generous support of Collingwood’s Community partner, Coles, Chemist Warehouse, club patron John Laidlaw, the Waislitz Foundation and the Pratt Foundation.”
Vision of Major Nottle receiving the Collingwood Cares Giving Day cheque is available on the Collingwood website.
