A mum is freezing because winter has arrived in Canberra. She can't afford to turn on the heating, and so she sleeps on the floor so her kids can keep warm in a bed and on the lounge.
She turns to the Salvation Army to ask for a blanket and it's possibly one of the more than 800 warm items donated at a blanket drive at last year's Handmade Market.
The chance to feel warm and cosy as the weather turns means the world to this mum, struggling as the cost of living continues to bite in the national capital, with its sheen of prosperity.
"She was so grateful. She was rapt," a Salvos worker said.
The Handmade Market is on again on the weekend of June 13 and 14, including the 10th blanket drive in aid of the Salvation Army, who in turn distribute the items to people facing hardship.
Market founder Julie Nichols said more than 800 items were donated last year, with sleeping bags, blankets, warm jackets and coats and new toiletry packs needed for this year's drive.
The markets are the collection point for the donations on the June 13-14 weekend, with visitors urged to look through their cupboards and bring along their items to donate.
"They say if you'd be happy giving one of your used items to a friend, they're suitable for a Salvos donation. Anything you have that's in good condition but no longer needed will be perfect," Julie said.
Julie said she was proud to be hosting the 10th blanket drive.
She kept doing it because she was glad the market could provide some practical help to those suffering the cold.
"Just seeing how many people need it," she said, of her motivation.
"Imagine starting a market and then being able to help people like this?
"It's practical help, it stays here in the community. It's really cold. People are going, 'Oh my god, I'm cold'. Well, what about the people who don't even have a blanket or a coat?"
Major Vannessa Garven from the Salvation Army in Canberra said all the items donated at the Handmade Market were distributed to people in Canberra.
"We have blankets and things out and people are taking them, they can't afford to keep warm," she said.
"The blanket drive means so much because it means we do have the items and we can give them to people.
"Every day, across Queanbeyan and Canberra, one of the Salvation Armys is open for community day where people can come and get their support and get some help."
Major Garven said this winter was looking like being a tough one in Canberra, with the cost of living hurting a lot of people.
"There's always a demand, but I think it's getting worse," she said.
"We've just done the Red Shield Appeal and I know at Belconnen, donations are slightly down because of the cost-of-living pressures on people."
But every donation was an act of humanity.
"People are just so grateful. You think it's just a sleeping bag or blanket but it means the world to them to have that extra warmth," Major Garven said.
