A fundraising effort by local citizens for the residents of the encampment on the former Brookside property in Cobourg has brought in almost $20,000.
Jenni Frenke, one of the organizers, said they have been able to purchase 15 individual and couples tents with wood stoves and accompanying safety equipment as well as a community tent with two wood stoves.
Frenke estimates about four to five thousand still needs to be raised to provide the equipment for those on the waiting list.
Financial donations can be made at gofundme.com by searching Winter Survival for Camp 413. Donations of fire wood or other survival equipment can be dropped off at the encampment.
The encampment is on provincial property and is the responsibility of Infrastructure Ontario, not the Town of Cobourg.
Cobourg Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Ashfield said the equipment isn’t officially approved by the fire department, but they make sure manufacturer instructions are followed and that the tents and stoves are compatible.
Cobourg Fire regularly checks to make sure regulations are being followed at the encampment.
