COFFS City Rotary Club’s Bob Carle and Paul McKeon have collected 26 phones in their first pick-up from the Domestic Violence (DV) Safe Phone collection boxes launched in mid-June.
The collection boxes for unwanted and unused mobile phones are installed at Sawtell, Toormina, Coffs and Moonee Beach Hotels.
The phones are sent to DV Safe Phones in Queensland where they are refurbished, cleaned and cleared as untraceable and ready for anyone in trouble with domestic violence.
“Thursday was our first collection day; we did the rounds and were very surprised that with the little information about this new service to our area, that we picked up 26 phones,” Mr Carle told News Of The Area.
“These phones are a lifeline to those in trouble.
“The victims in need can be male as well as female and often kids accompanying a parent who are thrown out of home or are escaping domestic violence.
“Having a mobile phone enables them to make contact with services and support they need, and for contact with family and or friends.
“Our Rotary Club is pleased to have started this new service to the Coffs and Sawtell area.
“It is a great cause. Please support it by dropping your unwanted mobile phones into our boxes so we can get them into service.
“Don’t be concerned about the condition or how old they are, just get them to the boxes so we can get them away to be ready for use,” he said.
The DV Safe Phone initiative was launched in Coffs Harbour in partnership with domestic violence agencies Warrina Women’s Refuge and Bluesky.
DV Safe Phones are used Australia-wide.
You can Google them for more information, call Bob on 0411 727255 or email Paul at paul@mylifechange.com.au.
By Andrea FERRARI
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