Nine people slept on couches for one night at the Batemans Bay Salvation Army as part of the Couch Project.

Salvation Army Commanding Officer Ross Holland set his fundraising target at $500 for the event, but was quick to double after reaching his goal in only a few days. 

“It was so much fun,” Mr Holland said. 

“I ended up raising $800.”

Mr Holland had promised to wear a onesie (one-piece pyjama suit) in public if he passed the $500 mark, and therefore found himself suitably dressed in the Batemans Bay CBD, collecting more donations.

“It was a fun weekend and I’m really happy with the result,” Mr Holland said. 

Although he put his neck out sleeping on the couch, Mr Holland said it was worth it.

“The generosity was incredible,” he said. 

“It took just one week to get $800, which is great.”

Mr Holland said it cost roughly $200 to get one teenager off the street and into accommodation. 

“I have been able to help four teenagers set up initially to hopefully change their lives,” he said. 

During his walk around town, Mr Holland said several people stopped to speak about the lack of a youth refuge in Batemans Bay. 

“People are starting to talk and hopefully with more discussion and fundraising we can open some sort of crisis accommodation or youth homelessness centre here,” Mr Holland said. 

“You never know what could happen in the future if we continue to get support from the community.”

Almost $30,000 was raised throughout NSW and the ACT in the project.