He put up $2000 and challenged members to add to it. Now he is throwing out the challenge to local businesses - those that have done well in recent times, such as real estate, solicitors and builders - to help out.

Max's contribution comes after the news that three key events that would have helped to get the Social Justice Advocates over the line in their $100,000 fundraising efforts for the Bega Valley's homeless, have had to be cancelled.

READ MORE:

But this is far from Max and Ailsa's first foray into philanthropy with the former farmers from out west, helping to raise money for many good causes around the shire.

Max believes in karma and says the good you do always comes around again.

"The more you give, the more you get back," he said and to prove it he tells a story about helping a young couple whose rented home had burnt down with everything they owned in it.

"A couple of months later three of us won $60,000 in a lottery; it all comes around," Max said with a smile.

Max has also donated "a couple of cars to people in need and so I understand how it is", he said.

But Max has much bigger plans in mind to help the homeless and those struggling to pay their rents.

READ MORE:

There are 10 affordable rental homes in Cobargo run by Southern Cross and Max has put a proposition to council, who owns the land, to buy it.

"Originally there was a DA for 20 units and there's currently 10 on it. I'd like to buy it and put another 10 on it for low income families," Max said.

"If you can get people into housing and into the workforce, it helps them and the economy," he said.

Now he wants to see what "the big end of town" can do to help the homeless.

"I don't know whether to challenge them, or plead with them but it would be great if 20 businesses could put up $1000 each towards the SJA projects. I really hope it can be done."

The Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast (SJASC) launched a campaign entitled 'It's Up To Us' in July this year, to raise money for transitional housing with the aim of raising $100,000 by the end of the year.

SJASC co-chair Mick Brosnan, said the group had evolved to provide the homeless with immediate crisis support because no one else was responding.

"If the community doesn't take on homelessness now, no one will. It's up to us," Mr Brosnan said.

Donations to date have now reached $75,000.

How to donate:

Donations to help 'It's Up To Us' campaign can be made at the Bendigo Bank:

BSB 633-000, Account No. 151 382 090