Vinnies Night Patrol receives grant from Midwinter Ball

On Wednesday 23 October, representatives from Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn will be at Parliament House Press Gallery to receive a cheque for $55,000.

Each year, the Press Gallery’s Midwinter Ball raises money for charity through auctions and corporate support. This year Vinnies Night Patrol was one of seven recipients.

‘Our Night Patrol vans provide a mobile outreach service, going out to locations across Canberra and Queanbeyan 364 nights a year.

‘They provide light refreshments and material aid such as sleeping bags, jackets and personal hygiene items. They also provide information and referral support.

‘Importantly, the volunteers who staff the vans provide friendly, compassionate company to people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness,‘ said John Feint, President of the St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn.

‘Night Patrol has been operating in the Canberra region since 2001. In 2017 we were able to expand the service by adding another van. The van celebrated its second birthday last week during Anti-Poverty Week,’ he added.

David Crowe, President of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery said, ‘The Press Gallery is proud of the fact that we’ve been able to donate almost $4.5 million to charity since the Ball began in 2000. Vinnies Night Patrol was an easy pick as one of our 2019 recipients given their fantastic work and incredible reach of 12,000 people per year.’

‘We are grateful for the Press Gallery, and all those who participated in a variety of activities that support these grants. This money will allow us to fully fit out both vans including a self-contained stainless steel kitchen area with power capacity, enabling us to serve hot and cold food and drinks’ said Mr Feint.