Winter is often the most difficult time of year for a homeless person.
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One family is hoping to make this experience a little bit easier and a little bit warmer.
Nine-year-old Luca Fidler and his mother Simona Angeli are collecting blankets, sleeping bags, beanies and socks to deliver to those who are living on the streets and in their cars.
So far Luca has received a large donation of blankets, sleeping bags, beanies and scarves from members of the Country Women's Association (CWA) of Exeter and Bowral.
However he is looking for more donations in order to help as many people as possible.
There are three collection points including the Wingello Village Store, Equilibrium in Bowral and Neeny's Place in Mittagong. Donations need to dropped off by Saturday, June 29.
It's getting worse because the cost of living is going up. A lot of people have jobs but they just can't afford to live anymore.
- Simona Angeli
After this, Luca and Simona will go to Martin Place and distribute the donations to the homeless.
Simona said she was also happy to distribute the donations to needy people in the Southern Highlands.
"If someone messages the Facebook page and says they're a homeless person in Highlands or fleeing a domestic violence situation, I'd give it to them of course," she said.
"[In the Wingecarribee] they're not on the street, they're more likely to be in a car.
"It's very hard to know how many people are homeless here, it's not obvious."
Simona said homelessness was becoming a greater problem with a rise in the cost of living.
"A lot of people have jobs but they just can't afford to live anymore," she said.
Simona said it was important to acknowledge people who are homeless and treat them like any other person.
"If they ever see a homeless person, acknowledge them as a regular person," she said.
"Say hello and talk to them like any other person."
Visit Luca's Plan to Help the Homeless on Facebook to stay up-to-date with Luca's progress.
