ORANGE Sky Laundry, the world’s first mobile laundry for the homeless, launched a full time van in Canberra today, providing a free mobile washing and drying service to those in need.

Founder Nicholas Marchesi said that with one in 200 Australians homeless on any given night and ACT having the second highest rate of homelessness in Australia, the service is an important part of helping over 1,700 people in need in the nation’s capital.

“Never before have people doing it tough in Canberra been able to wash and dry their clothes for free and we are incredibly excited to bring Orange Sky Laundry to the ACT,” said Nicholas.

Founded by the 2016 Young Australians of the Year, Nicholas Marchesi and Lucas Patchett, Orange Sky Laundry aims to restore respect and reduce strain on resources. Via a growing team of 530+ volunteers, the service is washing and drying an average of 4,500 kilos of belongings every week around Australia for those who are homeless or sleeping rough.

Orange Sky Laundry, with the ongoing support of The Good Guys, Richard Jay Laundry, and LG have teamed up with Beyond Bank and the Dyson Bequest to allow their brand new van “Dasher” to come and service the Canberra community.

“Beyond Bank are thrilled to help bring Orange Sky Laundry to Canberra and donations to this great cause can be made at any branch,” said Peter Rutter, GM Community Development at Beyond Bank.

The expansion of Orange Sky Laundry to the ACT follows the success of the launch on the Sunshine Coast earlier this month and the now well established services in Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne CBD, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast and South East Victoria. More locations are on the agenda, with an Orange Sky Laundry van planned for the Northern Territory later this year.