Each year Hickey Lawyers calls on the business community to dig deep and help fellow Gold Coast residents at the opening function of the annual Red Shield Appeal.  The business breakfast provides a much needed platform for the Salvation Army to demonstrate their amazing work, giving hope to those in crisis, and also just how greatly their services are needed.

There is often shock and surprise in the room from those just risen from comfortable beds in safe, warm houses about just how many people have slept rough the previous night, under bridges and in the sand dunes of our glittering city.

Last year’s event raised a record breaking $540,000 for the cause, with funds going directly to helping Gold Coast residents in need.  Last year’s event contributed to the recent refurbishment of the commercial kitchen at the Salvation Army’s Still Waters Centre in Southport. In 2015, 309 women and 45 children accessed the centre which provides temporary supported accommodation to those fleeing violent and dangerous environments.  The accommodation facility ran at 93% occupancy rate for the entire year, highlighting the immense need for this type of service.

The funds also contributed to a relocation and upgrade of the Turning Point Admissions Centre, which received over 6,000 enquiries last year.  While the final figure of funds raised at this year’s event is yet to be tallied, the breakfast event was once again a success with a strong spirit of caring and philanthropic generosity present in the room this morning.

The Salvation Army are committed to working with the most marginalised and disadvantaged people in our community but their life-changing support and programs require significant funds to continue and with Government funding cut in recent years, support from generous business owners is even more important than ever.

Helping a family get back on track with a year’s worth of financial counselling costs $1,000; $5,000 helps a person in crisis work toward solutions while receiving short-term accommodation; $17,000 can mean a victim of trafficking or slavery can receive a new, safe life and $35,000 provides year-long supported residential living for a person who was previously in crisis and is homeless.

Every single week the Salvation Army provides:

  • 3,500+ beds for the homeless
  • refuge to 800 victims of abuse
  • 4,000 people counselled
  • 1,200 addicted people helped towards recovery
  • 600 blankets provided

In order to continue their tireless work, they need to call upon the help of those more fortunate.  Bring hope by donating to the Salvation Amy Red Shield Appeal here: DONATE