By Mikayla van Loon
Nearly a year to the day after the original call out for help, the Holy Fools ‘Bill Poole’ van has died leaving the not for profit relatively stranded in its normal services.
CEO Neal Taylor spoke to Star Mail in January last year about the potential need to replace this essential piece of equipment, hoping it would survive another 12 months.
But sadly on Friday 10 February the van developed a knocking sound in the engine and “to keep driving, it would more than likely seize the engine up totally”.
Currently using his wife’s car, Mr Taylor said as of next week he’s not sure what he will be doing if without transport.
“It means the daily operations are back down to pretty much just in the office, if I can get here and what we can do, so it desperately needs something as quickly as well.
“The van is the focal point and you forget how much of a focus the van is in all of our activities. Running me around, it’s also involved in all the picking up and dropping off, transporting people and transporting stuff around the place. You forget how important it is until it’s gone.”
From a fundraising campaign last year, Mr Taylor said Holy Fools was able to raise $7,500 towards the $50,000 purchase and fitout price of a new van.
“We’ve set up a new campaign and said the van has died now so we need a new one basically. We’re hoping people respond to that one,” he said.
Not only would the funds go towards purchasing the van but would ensure similar ‘hope’ messaging could be displayed on the side of the van, as well as the name ‘Bill Poole’.
Eight years ago, Mr Taylor said a donor who wanted to remain anonymous helped fund the van nearly entirely, something he was extremely grateful for but doesn’t expect to happen again.
“I just acknowledge that for eight years, that van has really made a huge difference in the community and our work.”
As a charity supporting people who are homeless in the Lilydale and surrounding areas, providing bedding, support and community lunches known as Street Angels on a Wednesday, those outreach services will have to be minimised without the ability to get around the region.
Mr Taylor said if the funds cannot be raised to purchase a van outright, he has considered the option of leasing a van but with that comes its own challenges.
Despite gaining some support from the community on social media with likes and comments, Mr Taylor said that has not transferred over to donating.
“I understand that everyone’s doing it tough at the moment and I’m not criticising and I want people to understand that we recognise people are struggling,” he said.
“So we are hoping maybe some of the larger businesses might be able to step up and give us a hand.”
Receiving a helping hand on Wednesday 15 February to collect chairs and other items to set up the weekly Street Angels lunch at Melba Park, Mr Taylor said meant people experiencing homelessness were still able to connect and enjoy donated pizzas from Dominos.
“We had three homeless guys, who were camped out nearby, come over and have food and have lunch with us.
“So it’s important that this is on and that we’re still connecting with people who are homeless and rough sleeping.”
Looking ahead, Mr Taylor said despite not having a van, he wants to make sure Street Angels continues.
“We’re going to try and keep going with Street Angels but it’s going to depend on a lot of factors and we’ll have to see what happens and whether we have our own gear or whether we have to ask others to help out.
“But I really want to keep street angels going. There are so many people who rely on it.”
Donations can be made via www.mycause.com.au/page/304600/help-we-need-a-new-van
