HKWS and Bendigo Bank unite to raise $200,000 in 10 days for a Safe Place

Turramurra and Lindfield Community Bank branches of Bendigo Bank

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter and Turramurra and Lindfield Community Bank branches of Bendigo Bank have joined together in an effort to raise $200,000 in 10 daysto secure a permanent, safe home for the Shelter.

Bendigo Bank, Turramurra and Lindfield have kickstarted the Safe Place campaign by generously donating $20,000.

President of the Hornsby-Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter Louise McCann said the Shelter’s lease runs out in three months, putting potentially hundreds of vulnerable women and children in our community at risk.

“Our community has dug deep so far to support HKWS’s efforts to find a permanent home for our Shelter and we’re so close to achieving this goal,” Ms McCann said.

“We’re hoping to achieve that last mile of our journey, by partnering with Bendigo BankTurramurra and Lindfield Community branches to raise $200,000 over the next 10 days leading up to the end of financial year.”

Ms McCann said the new HKWS Shelter would be able to assist with women and children.

“At the moment our Shelter cannot cater for women with children,” she said. “The HKWS Outreach Program has become an important way that we’re able to support these families with the services and resources they need.

“The Outreach Program has been expanded in response to the challenges of recent times and the increasing needs of women and children for immediate, private, online access to support and services.”

The Safe Place campaign comes at a time when women and children are confronting even greater risks and dangers.

“Without a secure, new premises, HKWS may not be able to continue providing a safe haven to women and children who come to us in the most desperate of circumstances,” Ms McCann said.

“But with our community’s support we can help them overcome fear and uncertainty and escape violence and homelessness to create a safer, happier future.”

Branch Manager of Turramurra and Lindfield Community Bank branches of Bendigo Bank, Dean Castell said our branches are proud supporters of HKWS and have been since the Shelter’s opening in 2015.

“Like many people and organisations in our community we recognise the critical role HKWS plays in protecting disadvantaged women in our community,” Mr Castell said.

“Now more than ever, everyone deserves a Safe Place. That’s why we’re pledging to cover HKWS’s interest costs on a $500,000 loan for a period of three years.”

Mr Castell said this would go a long way to help HKWS find its new home and continue providing services, in addition to the donation of $20,000 to start the campaign.

“Everyone in our community can play a role by making even a small donation this EOFY.”

Mr Castell said Bendigo’s pledge to HKWS is one of many ways in which Bendigo gives back to the community.

“We have returned more than $2.4 million in support of our community since opening the Turramurra branch in 2013,” he said.

“We must acknowledge our customers as it is only as a result of their support that we are able to provide funds, such as this donation, to the community groups and charities that strengthen our community.”

Statistics

· HKWS safely housed 58 women in 2019 and 331 women since opening in 2015.

· A further 46 women have been assisted through the HKWS Outreach Program in the past year.

· According to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, there were 321 reported incidents of domestic violence in Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai in 2019.

About Hornsby-Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter

HKWS provides safe emergency accommodation and support services to women facing domestic violence and homelessness.

HKWS offers accommodation for a period of three months with an expert team of professionals providing tailored case management to help women reclaim their lives and create a safe and happy future. This includes access to health, legal, education and employment services. The Shelter can support up to 10 women at a time. Women who cannot be immediately housed can access the HKWS Outreach Program.

Part of the Women’s Community Shelters network, HKWS is a registered charity. We rely on the generosity and kindness of people and businesses in our community.

About Turramurra and Lindfield Community Bank of Bendigo Bank

Ku-ring-gai Financial Services Limited (KFSL) owns the franchise and rights to operate the Turramurra and Lindfield Community Bank Branches of Bendigo Bank. KFSLis a public company.

Providing full banking services to Turramurra, Lindfield and surrounding suburbs, with unrivalled customer service and a community centred focus at the forefront, our branches are local businesses owned by locals and staffed by people who genuinely have the community’s interest at heart.

The branches provide funds to community groups via sponsorships, grants and donations. In addition, major projects such as the creation of the Ku-ring-gai edition of Monopoly have raised funds used to support the communities of Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai.

Bank with the bank you can feel good about.

/Public Release.