THE Salvation Army in the north-west and New England areas is calling on the community to sign up for this year’s Red Shield Appeal to help raise local funds to support people who are struggling most.

Major Gary Masters  said Salvos across Australia are aiming to raise $38 million for Australia’s largest and longest-running door-knock appeal, now entering its 61st year.

“The last few years have been incredibly tough for the hardest hit in our community, and for many that shows no sign of slowing down,” Mr Masters said.

“We see so many people grappling with increased stress and uncertainty as everyday living has become unaffordable, leading to housing stress, financial hardship and an inability to get by.

“At the Salvos we are privileged to support those in our area experiencing hardship, but we cannot do this without the ongoing and loyal support of the community,” he said.

The funds raised in the north-west and New England for the Red Shield Appeal will stay in the local community and will be used to meet the specific needs faced by the most disadvantaged and vulnerable.

Earlier this year, The Salvos released their Social Justice Stocktake, a survey which polled more than 16,000 Australians and provided national, state and electoral reports highlighting the biggest issues faced by communities.

Australia’s largest and longest-running door-knock appeal is entering its 61st year.

Within New South Wales it was found that 68.8 per cent of people identified the issue of housing affordability and homelessness as the top concern for the community, with the second being mental health.

“There is no better way to support your community than by donating or volunteering to the Red Shield Appeal this year, and we need you to partner with us to be the hope our community so desperately needs. We can’t do our work in the community without you,” Mr Masters said.

The Red Shield Appeal culminates in the Red Shield Weekend – May 24 and 25 – and there are a number of ways to get involved throughout the month of May.

This includes volunteering by collecting at local shopping centres and other locations, door-knocking, online fundraising, organising a collection at your workplace, school or sporting event and making a donation.

Those interested in volunteering can visit www.salvationarmy.org.au/red-shield-appeal

Across Australia last year, through The Salvation Army’s network of more than 400 centres and 2000 services in areas such as homelessness, family and domestic violence, youth, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, financial hardship and much more.

The Salvos provided assistance to one person every 17 seconds; more than 1.76 million sessions of care to more than 250,000 people in need; over 1.1 million bed nights to those who needed accommodation; and more than 1.5 million meals to those who accessed our homelessness services.

To donate or volunteer for The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal or if support is needed from the Salvos, visit www.salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS. Donations can also be made at any Salvos Store.