Flinders Lions has supported SPCS for several years. In 2021 the idea of a mobile laundry, shower and toilet van was developed, and the Club resolved to adopt a project and co-ordinated construction of a mobile shower, toilet, and laundry van to aid those homeless and living rough via the Southern Peninsula Laundry and Shower(SPLaSh) project.

JAYCO was commissioned to build the van and approximately $60,000 was raised to fund the project via its own fundraising initiatives, with individual donors, in cooperation with Dromana, McCrae and Rye Lions Clubs, and with Australian Lions Foundation and Lions Clubs International Matching Grants.

The van was completed and commissioned in early 2023 and, with the generous support of Mornington Mazda, the use of a loan vehicle was given to enable the van to be towed to various locations where the need was identified.

THE NEED FOR THIS VEHICLE PROJECT

The main activity and use of the Mazda Loan Vehicle is for towing the SPLaSh Van. It is also used to pick up food from the various charitable food recovery program warehouses and distribution centres; to transport essential personal care products and food to cater for the needy; and for the disposal of cardboard from the food recovery programs.

The current vehicle on loan is a MAZDA BT50 1.9 litre 100 kw diesel four-wheel drive. It is a little underpowered for the purpose and too expensive for SPCS to consider purchasing.

THIS FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY

Mornington MAZDA has offered to provide a new MAZDA BT50 3.0 litre 140 kw diesel two-wheel drive fitted with a canopy, tow bar and all fittings including electronic braking on exceptionally generous terms.

Flinders Lions agreed to endeavour to raise the necessary funds to purchase the vehicle through individual donations, its Flinders Motoring Heritage event on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, and seek the support of Australian Lions Foundation (ALF) via a Matching Grant.