A couple of willing French backpackers recently lent a hand to Elphinstone’s Red Box Wildlife Shelter to help set up the region’s new wildlife carer supplies Co-Op Shop.
Shelter operators Nikki and Scott Medwell said they noted a lot of backpackers had been displaced as a result of the coronavirus lockdowns across the country, many struggling to find work and accommodation.
“We were told about the Facebook group ‘Adopt a Backpacker Victoria’ and having our former Bed and Breakfast sitting idle we thought we have room to open our hearts and home to a couple of backpackers in need,” Nikki said.
“We took in French couple Sam and Will for two weeks and they were absolutely lovely,” she said.
The arrangement turned out to be a win/win for both parties.
“In the aftermath of the bushfires we were in the throes of starting a Free Co-Op Shop for wildlife shelters, carers and rescuers to create a supply store of excess donated stock to be distributed among the 16 shelters and four rescuers across our region,” Nikki said.
“I was so busy caring for our injured wildlife rescues that the donated goods had been sitting in boxes for weeks in our former B&B and I had just been rummaging through and grabbing what people needed as required.
“Will and Sam swooped in and basically put the entire thing together! They were absolutely incredible! See the Mail for the full story. Out Now.