Student coat plan racks up donations

Bunbury Senior High School’s prefect group has set about making a difference in their city, launching a community wardrobe last week.

Head girl Amber Ramage came up with the idea in support of the school’s Year 12 Sleep Out for Homelessness event.

“During part of the research for that, I came across a similar idea to this and thought that if we did something similar, it would be a good opportunity to have a more ongoing support program for the homeless community in Bunbury,” she said.

The wardrobe is comprised of four coat racks, built by students in the school’s Shedworks program, which will be distributed around Bunbury, adorned in coats donated by the community.

“One of them has already been homed at Maker + Co, so we’re in the process of finding homes for the other three,” Amber said.

“The business looks after it, they put it out in the day and bring it in at night.

“The idea is members of the public, if they can, come and donate a coat straight onto the rack and anyone walking past who needs a coat can take one.”

School principal Craig Pettit said the students first pitched the idea to him two or three months ago and he loved the way it fitted in with the school’s value of community support.

“I’m extremely proud,” he said.

“I’m really pleased they’re thinking about the wider community and thinking about people who are disadvantaged or not as well off as they are.”

The Year 12 Sleep Out for Homelessness event will be held at the end of term in the school gym.