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Canberra Today 19°/21° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Backyard blitz to the rescue

IN one Saturday in October, a team of about 50 Belconnen Community Service employees and volunteers will give their time freely to clean up the gardens of 10 people at risk of eviction, bushfire or who have physical limitations.

The team’s makeover efforts will include mowing lawns, cleaning rubbish and gardening.

BCS transport program manager Graham Mckerchar started the “10/10” volunteer project last year after the struggle to maintain yards became a “common issue” for BCS clients.

“When you’re battling financially, often your garden is the first thing to go downhill and larger yards, in particular, can be very difficult to maintain,” says Graham.

“Sometimes when you walk past homes you pass judgement on someone’s unruly yard, without knowing the story behind it.

“Some people are unable to clean it physically, whether that be because they are elderly or disabled, or they just can’t afford the tools to maintain it, and some of these people are at risk of eviction or bushfires because of that.”

Graham says last year’s inaugural project, which was unfunded, received a “fantastic response.”

“We had a single mother with three young boys who was at risk of eviction, and she and her kids couldn’t get out to the backyard at all because it was so overgrown and messy… since we’ve cleaned it up, it’s made a massive difference for her and her family and she was able to stay there,” he says.

“We also had a lady in a wheelchair who just loved to sit outside in her courtyard, but it had been neglected over the years and damaged. After we cleaned it up she was able to entertain guests for a party, and she was so happy.”

For now the team’s focus is on cleaning gardens in the Belconnen area, with homes usually put forward for nomination, but Graham says his “big dream” is to eventually branch out to other areas around Canberra.

“We’re looking at having some of the volunteers come back to these homes once a month and educate on energy and water efficiency, and we’re keen to do more on the landscaping side of things when we get funding,” he says.

“To have a lasting impact on the people involved in this project is something that is really important to us.”

This year’s 10/10 project will be held on 19 October. Register at bcsact.com.au/?

A trivia night will be held  at the Belconnen Community Centre from 6.30pm on September 13 to raise money for tools used in the project. Book at bcsact.com.au/?

 

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