From building to running a Vinnies Van

The Ryde-Gladesville Catholic Parish have willed a Vinnies Van into existence through an outstanding fundraising effort enabled through a Vinnies Fundraise Your Way page.

Our Vinnies Van services provide meals every night at locations across Sydney and wider NSW thanks to the dedication and compassion of volunteers offering a comforting ear to hear the struggles of the most vulnerable in our community.

Having volunteered with our Vinnies Van services on the Bayside van run over several years, Father Greg Morgan, Ryde-Gladesville Parish Priest, and Anna Alessi, Gladesville Conference President, conceived of bringing a similar service to meet the need present in their local community.

Setting an initial fundraising target of $90,000 to purchase and fit out a suitable vehicle, the outpouring of support for the ‘Let’s Build A Vinnies Van’ campaign exceeded far beyond expectations with an emphatic final total of $162,682 raised to take the idea of a Vinnies Van from aspiration to reality.

“It was just incredible how much people were donating to this cause. It just goes to show how well-regarded the Society is in this community,” Anna said.

The Van is set to begin servicing the community in the new financial year with the excess funds used to ensure the long-term viability of the service by providing meals, blankets, toiletries, snacks, hot beverages to those in need.

“It is our way to reach out to people who are falling on hard times for many reasons and who can barely afford their rent and basic cost of living,” Fr Greg said.

If you have a local service or program you would like to fundraise in support of, follow the example set by the Ryde-Gladesville Catholic Parish and register a Fundraise Your Way page today at: https://fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/fundraise-your-way/