A new appeal is calling on the community to donate unused computers and sewing machines to struggling families and children in the Philippines.
If you have any of the items sitting at home, the Newcastle Men’s Shed needs your help.
In collaboration with Dubbo Men’s Shed, the group are collecting computers and sewing machines, wiping them of data and giving them any needed repairs.
The donations will then be sent to the Philippines for children and families to use as their schools are shut down amid the pandemic.
“Ideally, the computers are for school children,” Newcastle Men’s Shed Secretary Wayne Grant said.
“COVID has closed the schools and they need to work from home, as we had to.
“We’re looking for all types of computers, we wipe them and set them up to be sent over there.”
However, donors need to get in quick because the campaign may need to be shut down in a couple of months because the group needs to move premises again.
An ongoing issue for the organisation, they are on the hunt for a new home for the fifth time in as many years.
“It’s frustrating, we’ve moved four times in five years,” he said.
“We’ve done as much as we can, and the community have been so supportive and helpful.
“When we look at other men’s sheds and they have permanent property we get a bit envious, but we still look after our members.
“We need to be more patient, hopefully our luck changes soon. There has got to be light at the end of the tunnel.”
In other news for the group, Men’s Sheds across the state have been given the green light to reopen this Saturday 13 June.
It comes after Wallsend State MP Sonia Hornery contacted the NSW Health Minister about the easing of restrictions for community centres.
“Late yesterday, I received the advice that Men’s Sheds have been given the green light and can reopen as of 13 June, with the appropriate social distancing and hygiene rules in place,” she said.
“The new restrictions allow for community centres to be used to provide a service to assist vulnerable members of the public and for counselling and support group services and NSW Health and the Minster consider Men’s Sheds provide a service to vulnerable people.
“Men’s Sheds play an important role in the ongoing health of men in our community.”
To make a donation to the Newcastle Men’s Shed newest appeal, email Mr Grant or give the shed a call to arrange a drop off.
For more stories like this:
