They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, but the gift of giving doesn’t stop there, as Ninderry MP Dan Purdie found out when he visited Lifeline’s Kunda Park Superstore today.

Mr Purdie presented staff and volunteers at the busy site with a $21,180 cheque for a new machine that gives a second life to donated goods that can’t be recycled locally.

The grant was funded through Round 98 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.

“It’s fantastic to see this grant money being put to good use by such a worthy organisation,” Mr Purdie said.

The funds will be used to purchase a second bale press machine, which bundles donated clothes that can’t be sold through local retail outlets in preparation for export.

According to Lifeline’s Sunshine Coast Business Manager Ian Ezzy, the busy Kunda Park site receives more than 50 tonnes of clothes every month.  

“A second bale press machine means we will be able to bundle twice as much clothing in preparation for the export market, generating even further proceeds for Lifeline’s valuable suicide prevention programs.”

The busy site at Kunda Park, which has been a part of the Sunshine Coast community for 35 years, is home to 45 paid staff and 69 volunteers. The proceeds of donated goods are used to fund Lifeline’s 24 hour crisis support line and counselling services.