The Salvation Army reaches $83.8 million for the Red Shield Appeal 2012

The Salvation Army is delighted to announce the final result for the Red Shield Appeal. In a remarkable show of generosity from the Australian public, a total of $83.8 million, 2.7% over the goal of $81.5 million, has been raised in this year's appeal. This equates to a significant 8.3% increase on the funds that will help sustain Salvation Army centres for another year.

'We are living in times of economic uncertainty and the people we see are feeling the brunt of downturn more than many others in our community. Our recent research highlights that more than half of our clients indicated they are going without meals due to financial stress and 33% say they couldn't afford to heat even one room of their home,' said Major Neil Venables, Communications and Fundraising Secretary for The Salvation Army.

'On behalf of The Salvation Army I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every person who helped make this year's Red Shield Appeal a success. The generosity from the community, both in terms of donations made and time volunteered to collect, continues to give us great confidence as we work to meet an increasing need,' he said.

'Australians have again opened their hearts and doors to us, with $10 million being donated over the national Red Shield Appeal doorknock weekend in May,' said Major Venables.

Every year The Salvation Army assists more than one million people in need. Funds from the Red Shield Appeal enable a broad range of social services across areas such as homelessness, family support, counselling, addiction and domestic violence. The Red Shield Appeal is critical to the provision of these services, which cost more than $600 million annually.

For more information please contact:
The Salvation Army, Australia Southern Territory
Territorial Communications & Fundraising Department, 95-99 Railway Road, Blackburn VIC 3130
T: 03 8878 2400 
E: salvosaus@aus.salvationarmy.org