In late July, St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn launched a campaign to fundraise for defibrillators in all its stores.

Through St John Ambulance, Vinnies arranged a supply of these life-saving devices at a special rate, plus free training for selected Vinnies' staff and volunteers.

The Heart of Vinnies campaign was to run until each store raised the $2000 needed.

For Bega, that didn't take long, with Mr Lucas, of G Lucas Constructions, chipping in the entire amount.

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Vinnies Bega said it had only just started approaching local business houses with the campaign when Mr Lucas offered the very generous donation.

"I'm happy to do it, it's a good cause," he said.

It followed on from a similar result in Narooma, with a single benefactor covering the entire cost to purchase a life-saving device for the local Vinnies store.

Vinnies Bega said it was so grateful to Mr Lucas and his support.

"The shop will now have a defibrillator and our volunteers get training on it thanks to St John Ambulance - we just hope we don't need it!" a spokeswoman said.

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Shoppers and donors can join the Heart of Vinnies campaign by donating at their local Vinnies store or by visiting www.shoutforgood.com/fundraisers/theheartsofvinnies.

Meanwhile, Vinnies Bega is also fundraising for a homelessness support campaign. The store hosts a barbecue and cake stall on the third Thursday of every month, with more than $6500 raised so far.

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