Almost $5 million was raised through the weekend’s Red Shield Doorknock across Australia, the Salvation Army said.
Leigh Cleave, communications and fundraising director at the Salvation Army, said the weekend’s initiative – which raised $4,705,738 – was a “tremendous success”.
“We have seen incredible generosity from people across the country, with the early results suggesting once again the Australian public has dug deep to support this year’s appeal,” Mrs Cleave said.
“Thousands of Australians have gone above and beyond to support the Salvos this year. We are especially grateful for the thousands of volunteers who assisted us over the weekend.”
Last week the Salvation Army released the results of the sixth annual Economic and Social Impact Survey (ESIS).
Involving some 1,380 Salvation Army clients, it showed 69 per cent said getting enough food to eat was a daily challenge while 66 per cent said they lived under extreme housing stress, two in five said their budget didn’t allow for fresh fruit and vegetables every day, nearly one in four said they couldn’t afford three meals a day for their children and one in five households with children said they cannot afford medical treatment or medicines. The survey showed that single parents with children were among those doing it hardest with many living off just $14.35 a day.
“The survey revealed the real need that exists within the community, with Aussie children having to skip meals and families surviving on just $14 a day,” Mrs Cleave said. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking and a crucial reminder why the Red Shield Appeal is so important.”
The Salvation Army said last week that demands for its services was greater than ever and a typical week sees them provide 100,000 meals, 2000 beds for people experiencing homelessness, up to 8000 grocery vouchers, and refuge for 500 people fleeing abuse.
“As a country, we have never been richer,” Mrs Cleave said in a statement last week. “Across the board, our standard of living continues to improve in almost every category. But these gains and opportunities have not been distributed fairly, with millions of Australians living on the margins. We like to think of Australia as the land of the ‘fair go’, but unless people are willing to go the extra mile to help those in need, this idea will become a relic of the past.”
Of the almost $5 million raised in the weekend’s doorknock, almost half – some $2.2 million – was raised in New South Wales with $1.13 million raised in Victoria.
The doorknock aimed to raise $8 million as part of the overall Red Shield appeal target of $73 million. The appeals finishes at the end of June.
Donations can be made to the Red Shield Appeal by calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58), by visiting salvos.org.au or any Westpac Bank branch, or by posting a cheque to PO Box 9888 in your capital city.
