Gen Y and Woolgrowers Spread Awareness of Homelessness
22 October 2013 at 3:49 pm
A NSW Woolgrowing family has has made a short film charting the extensive work being undertaken by Not for Profits tackling homelessness in Sydney as part of a ‘wool blanket’ donation program.
Hayley Olsson and her father Chick, who is a NSW woolgrower, founded a project called Warm Heart in 2012. Initially the project simply used donated wool from NSW farmers to make blankets, which could be given to homeless Australians.
To date, 1000 blankets have been produced and distributed in Sydney and Project Warm Heart plans to continue to spread awareness of homelessness issues and to take the campaign to the UK in 2014.
The Project Warm Heart and the film will be officially launched at Parliament House in Sydney.
Hayley Olsson created a film that follows the story of the blankets and the Not for Profits who are helping the homeless.
“There are so many different and complex reasons for being homeless, and so many committed organisations helping. I have learnt a lot and felt it was important to shed light on these unsung heroes of Sydney,”Olsson said.
“I made this film with the aim of taking a fresh look at homelessness and urging people, especially young Australians, to help address the issue.”
“Our country farmers lent a hand in donating wool and funds to Project Warm Heart to make blankets. These blankets provide warmth and a better sleep for those sleeping rough.”
“The blankets provided through Project Warm Heart are not the answer to homelessness, however the NSW wool and polyester blend blankets provide the thread for the Project Warm Heart story.
“My aim for Project Warm Heart is to increase awareness among my generation,”Olsson said.