Jeans make difference to homeless

WITH his old jeans in tatters, Alan Marshall of Byron Bay was all smiles when he was given a pre-loved pair of black denims.

Alan, who lives in a tent in the bush, was one of dozens of homeless people to receive the jeans as part of the Volcom Give Jeans A Chance event held at the Fletcher St Drop In Centre in Byron Bay last Friday.

The pre-loved jeans were donated by the public at the recent VQS Surfing Championships in Byron Bay.

They were also collected through local retailers and by the Byron Community Centre.

Volcom marketing manager Joel Spillane said that more than 100 jeans had been donated.

"This is a great way to give something to the homeless and it's the first time that Volcom has done it in Byron Bay," he said.

"I'm really proud and excited to be able to do this today and hope it makes a difference."

Alan said he was really happy to get the jeans.

"I live in a tent and don't have much money to buy clothes," he said.

Alan's friend David May, who also lives in a tent, said he was "stoked" to get a new pair of jeans.

"And it's just in time for winter," he said.

Volcom also hosted a barbecue lunch.

Joel Spillane

I'm really proud and excited to be able to do this today and hope it makes a difference