'Everyone deserves a home'

These generous Aussies are supporting those facing homelessness through a tough holiday season

- By Maisy Rae, Megan Rowe

OUR STREET FAMILY

Sandy and lan Sneddon are not your usual online super sleuths.

The retired Gold Coast couple are the founders of an online group that scours for donations and deals, along with other bargain hunters, to help provide homeless people with food and comfort.

The duo launched Helping the Homeless in 2014 after meeting Brett Swayn, a homeless man in Perth, who then turned his life around and began a cooking school for other homeless people.

"He was my inspiration, and I knew what I had to do," says Sandy, 76.

They began collecting clothing, toiletries, backpacks, working phones and small cans of food to donate to local homeless services.

With demand high, they asked their friends for help in collecting donations and special items.

Now with 700 members and counting, the group advertises what items they need to best support local homeless people, including clothes, food and personal items.

"| worry about our 'street family' in the cold, wet weather," says Sandy. "If you see a homeless person, please say hi and offer them a coffee or a cold drink and something to eat. Everyone has a story."

SHELTER SAVIOUR

"I strongly believe that we're all part of one community," says Anthea Brumerskyj.

The 66-year-old emergency nurse has been volunteering at Safe Shelter for more than four years.

The NSW South Coast charity provides 12 warm beds and a nourishing dinner each night to men, women and children who would otherwise be sleeping rough.