By BRIDGET COOK
WHO cares for the plight of homeless and underprivileged people in the Casey community? Well there’s no denying that Berwick couple Malcolm and Jenny Wells do.
That is why they have established a not-for-profit organisation aimed at lending a helping hand to those most in need in the local area.
As part of ‘Who Cares? We Do’, the couple will run days across Casey where those less fortunate can come in and get free clothes, toys, a haircut, medical check, simple meal and connect with advice and support services in the area.
Mr Wells said planning for the first event, to be held in Cranbourne on Sunday 22 June, was well underway, with donations already flooding in.
Mr Wells, who owns Hyde Cooper Wells Accountants in Cranbourne, said they decided to start up the initiative to give back to the community where they live and work.
“Who Cares? We Do is based on a format used by an organisation in Sydney called Rough Threads,” he said.
“They go into communities in Sydney four times year where the homeless and less fortunate can access clothes, haircuts and a meal for the day.
“We were fortunate enough to be involved when they ran a day in Manly and got to see how it all works.
“Jenny and I were looking for a long time for something we could do for our local community and this type of day ticked all the boxes in terms of directly helping those in the community that need it most.”
Mr Wells said he believed businesses should give back to the local community in any way they could, and this was their way of doing so.
“Dare I say it, but at some stage in the next five to 10 years, I want to retire from my business and I wanted something of a charitable nature that could take over the time and effort my business now occupies,” he said.
“For us, it’s all about giving back and doing what we can for those in need.”
Mr Wells said even though it was early days, they had already received great support for the day in all aspects.
“We have a spare bedroom at home that is completely full of clothes at the moment,” he said.
“We have a nurse who is going to volunteer her time to do free basic medical checks on the day and then we can provide people with a list of bulk billing doctors in the area if they need to see one.
“Four hairdressers, including one coming from Sale, have offered to help out with the free haircuts.
“At this point, we also have about 80 volunteers prepared to help out on the day with the meals and anything else.
“The generosity of people is overwhelming.”
Mr Wells said they were still taking donations, and particularly needed men’s clothes and blankets to hand out.
The first day will be held on Sunday 22 June at a Cranbourne location, which is still to be confirmed.
Anyone wanting to find out more, including the confirmed location, or wanting to get involved can follow ‘Who Cares? We Do’ on Facebook or call Mr Wells on 0412 998 964.
