Tee Off for a Cause: IHEA Charity Golf Day Supporting Backpack Bed for Homeless

Get ready to hit the greens with purpose at the IHEA Charity Golf Day—a day of fun, fellowship, and philanthropy dedicated to supporting Backpack Bed for Homeless, a life-saving Australian charity providing dignity and shelter to people experiencing homelessness.

When: Thursday 08 May 2025

Where: 7:30 am onwards

Time: West Ryde Golf Course, 1156 Victoria Rd, West Ryde NSW

Golfers of all levels are invited to enjoy a day of golf, networking with fellow Healthcare Engineering colleagues—and most importantly, to stand in solidarity with those doing it toughest across Australia.

Who You’re Helping: Backpack Bed for Homeless

With more than 122,000 Australians experiencing homelessness on any given night—and many without access to shelter—Backpack Bed for Homeless is a lifeline.

Their flagship product, the Backpack Bed, is a patented, world-first emergency bed that folds into a backpack. Designed specifically for rough sleepers, it offers immediate relief and long-term dignity.

Unlike camping gear, these beds are made to survive daily life on the streets. They are study-proven to improve people’s health, dignity, sleep, safety, and warmth. And best of all? They’re distributed for free to those in need via a network of over 1,000 partner Homeless Agencies across the country.

Innovation That Saves Lives: Groundbreaking Fabric Technology Sets New Standard in Homeless Safety

Unlike conventional camping gear, these products are uniquely designed to endure the daily rigors faced by people experiencing homelessness — often for years at a time.

Rather than relying on standard, off-the-shelf materials, the charity has developed its own advanced fabrics to ensure unmatched durability, safety, and comfort. These proprietary materials meet an impressive 47 international safety and quality standards, setting a new global benchmark in humanitarian aid innovation.

Built from Compassion. Backed by Science.

Backpack Bed – Featuring LiteTrex® Fabric:

Fire Retardant to CPAI-84 and EN71-2 standards
Waterproof to over 15,000mm H₂O with advanced water repellency
Chemically Safe with no formaldehyde, no AZOIC dyes
Compliant with REACH (EU) and California Proposition 65 (USA)
Durable 200 denier oxford weave
Sun and mildew resistant

Fire Retardant Sleeping Bag – Featuring ThermalTrex® Polar Fleece:

Permanently fire retardant (no chemical treatments) meeting CPAI-75 and FAA airline blanket standards
Warm, breathable, and machine washable
Available in 100-440 gsm for varying climates
Complies with REACH and EN71-3 child safety standards

Each production run undergoes independent laboratory testing for fire safety, chemical safety, and waterproof performance. The charity also operates its own in-house lab to ensure consistent quality throughout the research, development, and manufacturing process.

Fabric Innovation with a Future

In partnership with pro-bono trademark lawyers, the charity has successfully registered the trademarks TrexSmart®, LiteTrex®, and ThermalTrex®. This not only safeguards the technology but also opens doors for future social enterprise opportunities — with the aim of licensing these fabrics to ethical manufacturers and generating income to fund further homeless support initiatives.

The fabrics are not only ideal for homelessness solutions, but also hold enormous potential for emergency services, disaster response, and military applications where durability, fire safety, and chemical compliance are critical.

Real Impact, Proven Results

Giving a Backpack Bed is more than just a kind gesture. It’s an investment in our community:

Each bed saves $3,319 in community costs (health, employment, justice)
$132 million+ saved nationwide through their distribution programs
Study-backed by 180 Degrees Consulting, the world’s largest nonprofit consultancy

“Backpack Bed for Homeless offers a far-extending range of community benefits—from suicide prevention to fulfilling the basic need for warmth and shelter... The program is not only philanthropic, it is economically sound.”— 180 Degrees Consulting Impact Study

Join Us!

Sponsorship Expression of Interest

Learn more about Backpack Bed for Homeless at https://backpackbed.org

Let’s come together for a day of purpose-driven play, raise vital funds, and help ensure no Australian is left to sleep on the street without protection.

Together, we can give shelter, restore dignity, and change lives. One swing at a time.