THE Salvation Army has invited the community to join its Walking Home trek to raise money and awareness for the region’s homeless.
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The rail trail walk from Port Fairy to Lake Pertobe on Saturday is the annual fundraiser’s first one-day event in Warrnambool.
The inaugural walk was held in 2009 when a group travelled from Warrnambool to Geelong over five days to raise awareness for homeless issues.
SalvoConnect Western regional manager Lindsay Stow said more than 85 walkers had registered but people could also join in from Koroit or Levy’s Point.
“I’ve participated in the previous Geelong events a couple times and always intended to hold one here,” he said.
“It gives real local flavour to it.
“Walking Home is primarily an awareness-raising exercise but there is still a fundraising element to buy shoes for homeless people.
“Walkers can be sponsored individually to help raise money.”
More than 1500 pairs of shoes have been distributed in Geelong and the south-west over the past seven years of Walking Home, with help from New Balance and Athlete’s Foot. Almost 43 per cent of Victoria’s 22,770 homeless are aged under 25.
Mr Stow said the Warrnambool district had a higher than average number of residents without a place to call home, despite less homelessness visible on the streets.
“Local agencies are working hard to alleviate local homelessness, but it's not in the consciousness of the general population a lot of the time,” he said.
“One reason is that we don't have a presence of homeless where we see people sleeping out. There’s a hidden homeless aspect.
“There are 100,000 Australians without a place to call home and Warrnambool actually has a higher rate of secondary homelessness.
“That includes anyone without a permanent home who might be staying a couple nights here and there in caravan parks or sleeping on a friend’s couch.”
The end of the walk at Lake Pertobe will include a barbecue and performances from the King’s College school band and the Warrnambool City Jazz Band.
Participants should register beforehand at www.walkinghome.org.au for $50 or walkers can join in from Levy's Point for $10.
For 24 hour homeless assistance call 1800 825 955.