THE SALVOS NEED YOUR SUPPORT
THIS year’s Red Shield Appeal will be launched with a free business breakfast at The Ville Resort-casino on May 20 with the doorknock on the following weekend.
The keynote speaker this year is Natalie Cook – Townsville born and bred and a five-time Olympian and gold medallist.
Last year the appeal raised almost $200,000, with this year’s target set at $175,000 including both the breakfast and the doorknock.
The focus of this year’s appeal is on the growing scourge of domestic violence.
Townsville chairman of the Red Shield Appeal Peter Wheeler said the annual event was the major fundraiser for the Salvation Army in Townsville.
“Predominantly that business breakfast that is where we look to raise the bulk of the funds from the appeal,” Mr Wheeler said.
“There will also be the 1RAR band and Cathedral School students performing excerpts from their recent musical All Shook Up.
“We put on the entertainment on for the morning, put the breakfast on, it is all free.
“We ask the business community
to come along and support the appeal by making a donation on the morning.”
He said the Salvos did fantastic work in the community. “They cover so much ground and they are everywhere as people know whether in conflict or natural disasters, Salvos are always on the
frontline. But more importantly this campaign is focusing on domestic violence, which unfortunately has really spiked during the pandemic – they are calling it a shadow pandemic.
“It is a major problem, one in four women are affected by domestic violence across the country. From a
Queensland point of view it is the biggest cause of homelessness for women and children.’’
He urged both the business community and Townsville residents to get behind this year’s appeal.
Steve Price can’t remember when he wasn’t the Red Shield Appeal Ambassador.
“I think I have been an ambassador for the Salvos all my life.
“My great great-grandmother who used to live in the scrub, was a drover’s wife, they had no money but every time the drover’s cheque arrived when the cattle came home she would make sure the Salvos had money,’’ he said.