One of Sydney’s icons, Mission Australia’s famous Missionbeat homeless transport service, needs a new van to help support the city’s rough sleepers.

Missionbeat vans have been patrolling Sydney suburbs for 28 years, providing transportation, information and referral service to homeless, intoxicated and drugs affected people helping them reach the care or medical treatment they need.

Missionbeat Team Leader, Daniel Petsalis, said the service’s three vans travel thousands of kilometres each year going through considerable wear and tear.

“Missionbeat vans became a familiar site to many Sydneysiders. The vans patrol the inner city 365 days a year, helping homeless people and those most in need,” said Daniel.

“Every day, our vans respond to calls from the public and emergency services as well as various homeless organisations, providing assistance to people in crisis that need transport. For some, a Missionbeat driver is the only friendly face these people see.

Currently, one of our vans needs a replacement. Mission Australia is asking Sydneysiders to help us raise $80,000 for the new vehicle. We particularly need a van with the wheelchair access as a number of the people we help have a disability or are incapacitated in some way. Missionbeat needs your help – every donation counts,” said Daniel.

To help Mission Australia purchase a new Missionbeat van, please make a donation online or call us 1800 88 88 68.

Mission Facts

• Missionbeat operates between 7am-11pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• Missionbeat assists around 16,000 people each year.
• A full tank of petrol for one of Missionbeat’s three vans costs around $80 and requires refuelling every second or third day.