How great is this shower van for the homeless in Brisbane?

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How great is this shower van for the homeless in Brisbane?

7 yrs ago

Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett, the duo known as Orange Sky, won the 2016 Young Australians of the Year award for their efforts to help Brisbane's homeless.

Marchedi and Patchett came up with the brilliant idea to give homeless people in Brisbane access to a free hot shower every day.

"Twenty-two months ago we had a crazy idea to put two washing machines and two dryers in a van and wash and dry clothes for free," Mr Marchesi said.

"So we then had an even crazier idea of putting two showers in the back of a van. We have water tanks on board, we have heating on board, we also collect our grey water."

They built the van themselves, thanks for $100,000 from the Shine On Foundation.

Dave 'Bushie' Brum, 60, who has been living on the streets for more than 20 years was one of the first to trial the free shower: "It was bloody awesome. It is so great to have a real shower."

The duo now has 11 laundry vans across Australia and wants to expend the shower vans too.

Read more at abc.net.au.

(Images via abc.net.au)

11 comments

Phyl.

7 yrs ago

Thank you so much Amelia.

Your contribution has sure made my day.

Just terrific, and must be an innovation for those unlucky enough (sadly)

to be homeless due to many circumstances.

Abby

7 yrs ago

As I said in the other thread

Well deserved award for these chaps.

Foxy

7 yrs ago

.......they the ones from Melbourne who had a Van decked out with washing machines and dryers for the homeless???? Those young guys are soooo cooool!!! :-) :-)

better to get these bums off the streets that pander to their needs

why dont we build them air conditioning units too so they can sleep in comfort

jesus

cranky

7 yrs ago

I don't get angry often..but I dare not respond to that dreadful, unnecessary comment Carlos, or I will be tossed off this forum..

Wander the streets, and walk in their shoes, and see the misery and fear, and maybe you will realise that the plight of most of those unfortunate people that find themselves in that very dark place with no hope are there through no fault of their own...

Sophie

7 yrs ago

You have every right to be angry Cranky...I am speechless...but this sort of comment is quite in keeping with this person.

I am not going to say any more....

I dont understand

Should all unemployed be allowed to sleep in public places and roam the streets or just the mentally disabled.

Shouldnt the menatlly disabled be treated in an institution rather than encouraged to live on the streets

What is it about me remarks you find in appropriate

Its a far more honest assessment that some of the bleeding heart nonsense spewed on here

Foxy

7 yrs ago

........yeah - great idea Carlos - let's build them all air conditioned units - let them sleep in comfort - have some kind of half-decent life!!! ........let's put some damned money into the "homeless" for ONCE!

Old saying Carlos ......... "there for the Grace of God - go I"

...I think you are just "stirring" as usual - but hitting on the "homeless" is not very nice :-(

catsahoy

7 yrs ago

CARLOS, lets put them in an institution, that would be fine if there were any, GEOFF KENNET sold them all of, most of these people dont choose to be on the street, some do, of course, it suits them not t work, or pay rent and taxes, but the majority have found themself in this position for a myriad of reasons, breakdowns in marriage, health reasons, who knows what happens in others lives, dont be so quick to judge, you could be next,

cranky

7 yrs ago

I hope he is cats, .then after a few years without the necessities of life and a belly full of food ,he will come back in here and give us a true account of his great experience of life under a bridge ,laying on a stone floor in the cold and damp ,with only depression and hope as his companions..

Maybe then his cocky insensitive attitude would change for the better.

I doubt it would happen though as people like him always seem to have the good life , and a dispicable uncaring attitude.

If I could only

geomac

7 yrs ago

Great idea and good use of money from the shine on foundation which I was unaware of. Must look that foundation up to see what its about. Saw this on the ABC yesterday and thought what a great idea and so practical. Often wondered how the homeless deal with what is a basic need.

geomac

7 yrs ago

http://innovationnation.fya.org.au/partners/shine-on-foundation/

Incognito

7 yrs ago

What Nic and lucas are doing is trying to make the homeless feel better about themselves, and this is a great start for them to improve their life. For those who don't think it is a good idea, maybe you should stand next to a homeless person and see if they need a shower and a clean change of clothes.

Please donate to Orange Sky.