SOURCE: Illawarra Mercury
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Illawarra politicians, celebrities and sport stars have bared (almost) all in a calendar to raise much needed cash for the Wollongong Homeless Hub.
Federal MP Sharon Bird and Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery (and his strategically placed Akubra hat) lent their efforts to the calendar, the proceeds of which will go towards hygiene facilities for Illawarra’s homeless.
Wollongong Homeless Hub manager Julie Mitchell said recent threats to the centre’s funding meant cash for the public laundry and shower had to come out of the centre’s already strapped budget.
‘‘We’re hoping to sell 2000 copies of the calendar to raise $20,000 needed for the shower, laundry and breakfast program,’’ she said.
‘‘The shower and laundry mean a lot to people sleeping rough, it’s about giving people back their dignity.’’
Normally politicians caught with their pants down face calls for their resignation but Ms Mitchell couldn’t thank the calendar’s brave participants enough.
‘‘It’s a wonderful thing they’re doing for the homeless people of Wollongong,’’ she said.
The region’s star sports stars were also thanked for their revealing portraits.
Hawks captain Oscar Forman’s abdominal muscles grace the front cover of the calendar, while former Dragons player Shaun Timmins was initially nervous about exposing his backside.
‘‘He was worried he didn’t have a good enough bum!’’ laughed Ms Mitchell.
While Lord Mayor Bradbery was careful to inform his wife of the calendar he had no issue stripping off for a good cause.
‘‘I was more than happy to do it if it helps the community back the Homeless Hub and all they do for people in hard times,’’ he said.
Ms Mitchell said without the support of the community the calendar would never have gone ahead.
‘‘We were really lucky [photographer ] Andy Zakeli and [artist] Gaye Burrows from the Mercury took the photos and put the calendar together; it wouldn’t have happened without them,’’ she said.
In addition to offering amenities most take for granted, the Homeless Hub offers free removalist services, food facilities and expert help securing rental accommodation.