Supporting the Red Shield Appeal

In May Pacific Health & Wellbeing (PHW) had the privilege of being part of the Red Shield Appeal Launch for the Salvation Army Newcastle.

In attendance was Managing Director, Sam Gerrard and Operations Manager, Kate Carr who proudly represented PHW and provided our donation to the cause.

Located throughout Australia, The Salvation Army provides support to those in the Australian community facing hardship and neglect. This support includes providing accommodation for the homeless, assisting with finding jobs for those unemployed or may never have been shown how to find employment, providing support programs for individuals with drug and/or alcohol addiction, and providing care programs for the elderly including dementia care, among various other activities aimed at providing aid for those suffering.

Sam and Kate had the privilege to hear from a survivor and his mentor from The Salvation Army, telling of the life of drug addiction and homelessness he faced and how the Salvos turned his life around. Allowing him to become a hard-working family man in the community.

The Red Shield Appeal is The Salvation Army’s annual signature fundraising drive which aims to raise funds to support the multitude of ongoing programs the organisation runs including those mentioned above. The Red Shield appeal began in 1965 and has since run through the months of April, May and June. The appeal begins with a kick-off event in many locations throughout Australia.

The Newcastle Red Shield Appeal launch saw incredible attendance by various businesses and individuals throughout the region. The Master of Ceremonies for the event was NBN Newsreader Natasha Beyersdorf, with guest speaker Matt Anderson OSM, Director of the Australian War Memorial. Mr Anderson spoke on the history of The Salvation Army dating back to the Australian war efforts through to their work now within the community helping people less fortunate and giving them a ‘leg up’. 

Pacific Health & Wellbeing would also like to say a big thank congratulations to Geoff Leonard for some 20 years as a board member of the Salvation Army in Newcastle. 

Pacific Health & Wellbeing are proud to support an organisation providing aid to our local Australian community. 

To support the meaningful work of The Salvation Army please click here.