A charity which converts old city buses into safe places for homeless people to stay is winding up.
Sleepbus staff have been let go as the charity battles financial troubles.
CEO Simon Rowe has taken to social media to give an update to supporters.
“Bear with me I’m not going anywhere Sleepbus hasn’t folded we’re still ticking along it’s just that I cannot afford … I’ve had to let go of all of the staff and I’m on my own so please understand that,” he says.
Mr Rowe says he’ll stay on until the end of the financial year to finish the remaining buses himself which includes the one promised for Bundaberg.
“We’ll get those buses built and sent up there,” he says.
“Obviously I still need to do some fundraising and I hope everybody sticks with me and helps me get these over the line.
“I just won’t be able to launch or run those services. I’ll get those buses up there and we’ll work with the local community and find some organisations to take over the ownership of those vehicles.”
The organisation has been running for a decade.
“It wasn’t supposed to last forever I anticipated I might do this for five years and then government would get their act together and put us out of business but it hasn’t happened and I’ve soldiered on and it’s certainly got harder not easier since Covid,” Mr Rowe says.
Sleepbuses are already in several towns including Maroochydore, Hervey Bay and Redcliffe.
It’s hoped local providers will step in to help keep the services running.
