Thread Together’s Ross Mitchell is preparing to arrive in Wujal Wujal with new clothes for the whole community. Photo: Supplied.
Wujal Wujal residents will have their eyes on some new outfits when clothing charity Thread Together comes to town this week.
As the community continues to rebuild their lives after the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Jasper’s flood event in December 2023, Thread Together hopes the choice and dignity behind new clothing will help residents thrive, not just survive.
Based on the uncomfortable truth of clothing being sent from factories to landfills every year while many people do not have adequate access to essential clothing, Thread Together diverts excess fashion to communities in need.
Thread Together operations manager Ross Mitchell will travel to Wujal Wujal to distribute clothing for around 600 people on 13 September.
“It’s a three-hour event that we’re inviting folks in to have an opportunity to look through all the clothing, and choose whichever size and style they would like,” he said.
“We’ve got T-shirts, shorts, footwear, wet weather ponchos, caps – we’re hoping to provide a little bit of dignity to those folks re-entering the community with some brand new clothing.
“It’s always a fantastic opportunity for us to hand out the clothing in person – it really shows the benefit of what we can provide to the community.”
Mr Mitchell said he hoped the wardrobe upgrade would help residents with something that wasn’t always a number one priority after hardship.
“In general cost of living crisis, clothing is not the first choice,” he said.
“We have the opportunity to provide some brand new clothing, so that they can spend their money on greater priorities of food and living conditions.”
Thread Together is part of the RACQ Foundation’s 25th community assistance project.
“Across two weeks, we will have 27 RACQ volunteers supporting with a range of recovery initiatives, such as restoring the community gardens, refurbishing the community and sports complex, as well as helping to repair several local buildings,” RACQ general manager advocacy Joshua Cooney said.
“Through collaborations with Wujal Wujal Disaster Management Committee, Thread Together, Cherbourg Ration Shed and My Pathway’s local trainees, we hope our community assistance project can leave a meaningful impact on a community which is still struggling following a catastrophic weather event.”
