Gunnedah Red Shield Appeal committee has been formed for the first time in about 10 years in a commitment to see fundraising efforts in the area thrive in 2024.

Gunnedah Salvation Army’s Peter and Sally Anne Hall put out the call for help for the collection.

The committee’s chair Jamie Chaffey said he was willing to aid the cause when his friends asked him to be involved.

“The last few years have been really tough and [the Halls] have been trying to do it themselves,” he said.

“Now that the month of May is here and we are starting to see Shieldy (The Salvation Army’s mascot) out and about and a lot of people are quite pleased to give their time to come out and support that.

“I know Gunnedah is a very caring, respectful community especially when it is to support people within Gunnedah.”

RED SHIELD APPEAL SUPPORT: Gunnedah-based GBP Cranes is one of the businesses supporting the Red Shield Appeal. GBP Cranes general manager Damien Roman is pictured with Shieldy and Peter Hall.

Each person on the committee has an individual role, from physical collections to an online presence but they all share the collective aim to fundraise during the appeal months.

The committee has already seen community organisations and businesses pull their heads together for fundraising efforts.

Some have gone as far as to have challenges within their workspace.

One of the businesses getting involved this year is GBP Cranes and general manager Damien Roman is calling on other businesses to show their support.

“Get on board, we need [The Salvation Army]. They do a fantastic job,” he said.

“They are community based and community supported, so we need them here. I know they are all over the place but to have them here and doing what they are doing here is great,” he said.

Funds raised from the GBP Cranes training room hire will contribute toward their donation to the Red Shield Appeal.

Salvation Army’s Peter Hall said that 90 per cent of the money raised goes back into the community.

“It does not just get absorbed into a big bucket somewhere for Salvation Army to spend wherever they like,” he said.

“It is really encouraging that people want to give their time and support us in this and bring the support for the community.”

They have handed out 173 food hampers in the last 12 months and had 140 applications for Christmas assistance last year.

“[It] is really encouraging that people want to get behind us and support us and also encourage other organisations as well,” Mr Hall said.

“Every little bit counts and that is sort of the big message.

“Whatever people can give, it makes a big difference to people’s lives.”

Donate online here: https://digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au/o/gunnedah-salvos

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