Get ready to laugh the night away with Age Matters for a worthy cause
Prepare your funny bones Wollongong, because Age Matters is gearing up for a night of belly laughs with a comedy night fundraiser.
This night of hilarity will see the return of Wollongong Comedy to the newly renovated Basement at The Builders Club Wollongong on 24 November. A full line-up of rib-tickling comedians will have you laughing until your cheeks hurt, headlined by the hilarious Tommy Dean.
This night isn’t just about splitting sides, it’s about coming together to tackle the serious issue of homelessness and isolation experienced by vulnerable older people in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
Age Matters an initiative of IRT, specialises in helping vulnerable older people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and isolation and relies on the support of the community to provide these services.
Age Matters Manager Natasha Debsieh says there are so many older people in our communities who are doing it tough and they need our help.
“Let’s turn frowns upside down and raise funds to ensure every older heart in our community finds a cosy nest,” Natasha said.
“The widespread housing crisis in Australia, coupled with cost-of-living pressures is impacting older peoples’ ability – especially those on fixed incomes – to access age-appropriate accommodation, services, medicines and food.’
“The demand for housing and homelessness services from older people in Australia is rising. In 2019 – 2020, over 24,000 people aged 55 years and over sought services from specialist homelessness support agencies like Age Matters.”
In 2022/23 Age Matters assisted almost 300 older people to access appropriate services and accommodation – more than double the number of people helped the previous year.
“The scary thing is there are only one or two life circumstances that can take any of us from having everything, to having next-to-nothing. A lost job. A relationship breakdown. A serious illness. It can happen to any of us and all it can take is a run of bad luck,” Natasha said.
“So please come along to the Age Matters Comedy Night and let your laughter fuel our mission to help more vulnerable seniors find age-friendly, affordable housing.”
Age Matters Comedy Night
When: 8pm for 8:30pm 24 November
Where: Basement, The Builders Club Wollongong
Tickets: Visit https://www.irt.org.au/about/age-matters/comedy-night/ or call 134 478 for tickets and sponsorship opportunities.
Media enquiries: Hannah Ellson 0429 361 627 | engage@irt.org.au
General enquiries: 134 478
About IRT Group:
IRT Group is one of Australia’s largest community-owned, not-for-profit providers of retirement living, residential aged care and home care. With more than 50 years’ experience and locations throughout NSW, the ACT and South East Queensland, we employ more than 2000 people and play a significant role in promoting seniors as dynamic, influential and valuable members of society.