Lexie blades to Banora for homeless

TWEED homeless support group 'You have a Friend' has a true friend in Pottsville's Lexie Walter.

As part of National Homeless Person's Week and to help the charity raise funds for a new van, Ms Walter will take to the road on her rollerblades this Sunday morning and skate 30kms from Pottsville to St Joseph's College in Banora Point.

Ms Walter said last year, she was looking for a charity to support and when she bought a new pair of rollerblades, she had the idea to complete a long distance and raise funds for 'You have a Friend'.

"I knew I wanted to do something for someone and 'You have a Friend' was a really worthwhile cause," Ms Walter said.

"Although homelessness is often out of sight, it's really important to do something about it."

'You have a Friend' organiser John Lee said Lexie's effort was sensational and would hopefully help get the charity close to their van fundraising target.

Ms Walter aims to arrive at the school around 8.00 to 8.30am, just in time for a barbeque breakfast held at the sports grounds next to the school.

The breakfast is part of the 'You have a Friend' annual Sleep Over at the school which is also part of National Homeless Persons' Week.

The week of events aims to give people fortunate enough to have a permanent roof over their heads the opportunity to experience what it is really like to live on the streets.

Mr Lee said the number of homeless people in the Tweed had risen over the last few years and more and more people turned up to take advantage of the food distributions organised by the charity.

Topics:  charity, national homeless persons' week, rollerblading