This fundraiser is part of the "Donate a Plate" campaign.
Together with other fundraisers and generous donors, we’ve raised $335,471 so far!
Homelessness for me
From there I went to Ballina, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and then back to Sydney. Sometimes I slept rough, sometimes I stayed with friends, if the weather was horrific then I might splash out on a motel if I had the money but I quite fancied sleeping under the stars if it was warm enough.
I knew of Wayside as my little cousin had been christened there in the late 70s by Ted but i didn't know anything about it until I wound up at Kings Cross. I needed a massage as my body was falling apart but where do you go for massage in Kings Cross without the happy ending? I was too mentally unwell to think to go back to one of my regular places from the past, it didn't even occcur to me. Someone told me they had a masseuse at Wayside so I trotted down there.
I met a very nice man who said he was the masseuse but he couldn't see me that day as I didn't have an appointment. It was the last straw for me in my shitty life, I couldn't hold it together any more. I stood there broken and fighting back tears, not knowing what to say as 3 people stood and watched. It was horrible, I wanted to drop dead on the spot.
Then the kindly man said "I can spare maybe 15 minutes for you in between apointments" and I looked up with tears streaming down my face into his kindly face and tried to say thank you but the words wouldn't come out.
I had been to Wayside to eat but I had never asked for services before. When Bill finished my massage, I pulled out a few crumbled notes and said "I only have $45. How much do I owe you?" and he laughed and said "Nothing" and we were best friends after that.
I loved my weekly massages with Bill, he was the best masseuse I had ever seen. I loved hearing about his childhood in Sierra Leone, the journey he had to take to get to Australia, how he survived in Australia when he first got here....
One day as I asked after his mum who hadn't been well, it occured to me that I knew so much about him but he didn't know much about me!
I sat trying to think of what I could tell him about myself and suddenly blurted out "BIll?" He responded "yes?" and I said "I dont like peas." :D
Bill isn't at Wayside any more but we still keep in contact. I have met so many staff members and volunteers there over the years who have mostly been amazing.
Wayside really has changed my life. When I got housed, the support didn't stop. I needed to relearn how to run a household again because I had lost all of those skills. I didn't even know how to do the shopping! Wayside helped me with that, they helped me get on the NDIS, they have assisted me when i have had housing issues, when i have needed support to fill in paperwork, go to a meeting or advocate for me over the phone.
I know that I can just put my hand up and ask for help and if the person i ask can't help me then they will find someone who can.
I know that I can just put my hand up and ask for help and if the person i ask can't help me then they will find someone who can.
I love that place and most of the people in it. I've got friends, foes and hoes there and they are my people. I always tell people that I am the luckiest most unlucky person in the world.
Thank you to those who have sponsored me and helped me to help others. The recipients of your kindness may not know your name but they will never forget your kindness xxx
Support my Cheeky Challenge!
I’m taking on the Cheeky Challenge for Wayside Chapel and daring to wear my undies on the outside this Valentine’s Day!
(Pic is Jon and I horsing around last year) :D
For someone experiencing homelessness or in crisis, nothing says 'I love you' like a warm welcome, hot shower and a clear pair of undies.
No donation is too big or too small, please give what you can. Let's help Wayside show people in crisis that they are loved and not forgotten xx
If I raise $128 then I get a free Wayside 60th anniversary tshirt which I've been trying to get my hands on one for months :B
Bravo Karan