Salvation Army issues urgent call for support in 2012 Red Shield Appeal

Media are invited to attend:
Thursday 29 March 2012
7:00am-8:45am
The Grand Hyatt
123 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000

On Thursday 29 March, The Salvation Army in Victoria will launch the 2012 Red Shield Appeal with an urgent call for Victorians to support the critical work of The Salvation Army across the state.

More than one million people in need come to The Salvation Army each year across Australia. To continue this assistance, The Salvation Army needs to raise $81.5 million before June 30 to meet targets. Funds donated to the Red Shield Appeal will ensure services and programmes for the Australian community can continue to operate in the 12 months to come.

The Salvation Army assists over 250,000 Victorians each year and hopes to raise $25 million in the state of Victoria. The breakfast launch event at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt marks the official commencement of the appeal in Victoria to achieve this goal.

In attendance will be the Honourable Mary Wooldridge, Minister for Mental Health, Women's Affairs and Community Services who officially launch the appeal and present the Victorian Government's leading gift; and the Honourable Robert Doyle, Lord Mayor of Melbourne offering his endorsement for the appeal to 250 of Melbourne's corporate community and philanthropically minded people, inviting their support and participation in this year's appeal.

The Red Shield Appeal is more than a 'simple appeal,' Ms Wooldridge said. 'It is a community movement with more than 100,000 volunteers nationwide ' who are affiliated with The Salvation Army 'walking their local streets to ask for donations from the community.'

Major Brendan Nottle, Corps Officer of the Melbourne Corps Project 614 and Life Centre will present his personal experiences in working in the City of Melbourne and his encounters with the most desperate and marginalized people living in our streets. His work demonstrates the immediacy and depth of the need Australians in disadvantage are experiencing.

“Today we are launching the appeal in Victoria and asking the community to get behind the appeal. The support we receive from everyday Australian's is imperative for us to do the work that we do,' said Major Nottle.

Stephen Conry, CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle, the major National Sponsor of the Red Shield Appeal launch says the company is privileged to support The Salvation Army.

'Jones Lang LaSalle is humbled and proud to support the outstanding work of The Salvation Army through our sponsorship of the Red Shield Appeal launch events around Australia.

'During these times of economic uncertainty and change, it is reassuring to know that The Salvation Army is there to lend a hand to those who need support,' said Mr. Conry.

Available for interview from 8:45am-9:15am

• Major Andrew Craib, Territorial Media Relations Director
• Major Brendan Nottle, Corps Office Melbourne Corps Project 614