All of the proceeds from ticket sales to Ready24 galvanised the real estate industry and simultaneously provided the opportunity to give back to the community, while promoting professional and personal development at the Royal Randwick event.
REA Group Chief Customer Officer, Kul Singh, said homelessness was a cause very close to his heart.
“At REA we’re united by our purpose to change the way the world experiences property, and our approach with Ready24 considers everyone, including those experiencing homelessness,” Mr Singh said.
“Our long-standing community partnerships are centred on organisations that are working to end homelessness, and we’ve proudly partnered with Orange Sky, The Big Issue and Launch Housing for many years.
“Everybody deserves a safe place to sleep at night and the additional $400,000 Ready24 has delivered to our community partners would not have been possible without the support of our fantastic customers.”
Orange Sky, founded by two former high-school friends in 2014, offers those experiencing homelessness a free mobile laundry and shower service, as well as genuine conversation and human connection.
Orange Sky Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lucas Patchett, said Orange Sky had never been busier.
“With the rise in cost of living, Aussies are doing it really tough, so it’s never been more important for Orange Sky to continue to expand our services to support the growing number of people who need our support,” Mr Patchett said.
“REA’s generous donation through Ready24 will fund the operations of a laundry van for one whole year.”
He said the funds would enable Orange Sky to provide more than 6200 loads of free laundry in the coming year and bring the organisation closer to achieving its goal of supporting 40,000 people doing it tough by 2025.
“We just ticked over seven years of partnering with REA and we’re so proud to extend the partnership,” Mr Patchett said.
“We’re incredibly grateful for REA’s ongoing support in helping us to positively connect communities.”
The Big Issue CEO, Stephen Persson, said REA Group’s donation would expedite the growth of Homes for Homes, and vitally contribute towards a future funding round that will increase the supply of social and affordable housing.
“This donation will directly help the creation of affordable dwellings for our most vulnerable in the community,” Mr Persson said.
“It will build upon the $1.8 million plus Homes for Homes has already granted in funding to 21 projects across VIC, NT, QLD, NSW, WA, and the ACT that provide housing for over 350 people.”
