MORE than $100,000 raised by the Great Illawarra Walk will go toward housing homeless people in Warilla.
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On March 21 and 22, 643 walkers took to the streets of the Illawarra for the annual event and helped raise $110,605.
This year's beneficiary was Southern Youth and Family Services (SYFS), which will use the money to fit-out and furnish several apartments in Warilla that will provide homes for the homeless.
SYFS chief executive Narelle Clay said they were "thrilled" to be involved in the event and that it was a "privilege" to have so many generous people in the community.
"It is pretty special," she said. "They exceeded the target the organisers had set for this year and also exceeded last year's total.
"The money raised will go a long way to completing the housing and it means young people who are disadvantaged will have a lovely place to start out.
"When you're homeless you don't have a stable place to study and leave your belongings and they often lose their support network and there is a lot of discrimination against homeless people.
"Now they will have a safe, affordable place to live in a positive environment.
"It will mean they can complete school, get training and find employment."