Gunnedah Salvos renew call for Red Shield Appeal, Steps for Hope challenge

Gunnedah Salvos are reminding the community to embrace this month’s Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal, raising money for local people doing it tough.

Last year, the appeal raised more than $23,000, triple the total for 2023 – and the goal is to go even higher to help our community this year.

This year, the Gunnedah Red Shield Appeal Community Committee is challenging individuals, organisations and businesses to join the Steps for Hope Challenge.

Committee chair Amber Donoghue said the challenge allowed people to be actively involved in a fun activity to raise money.

“We were very proud of the generosity of the Gunnedah community in 2024,” Ms Donoghue said. “Their donations through a number of fundraising activities have allowed the Salvos to make a remarkable impact, including assisting 1424 individuals and families in need – that’s 15 per cent of the population, providing 278 food hampers and contributing $12,730 in financial assistance during Christmas.

“This year, we call on people to again open their hearts, put on their walking shoes and join the Steps for Hope Challenge.

“This allows people and businesses to form a team – or go it alone! – to walk a certain number of steps and to seek support from their own network to sponsor them.

“People can do this through the Salvos’ own Digital Doorknock site. It’s easy and we hope it will be fun.

“Of course, there will also be a number of other fundraising activities, and people can simply donate via the Gunnedah Salvos on the Digital Doorknock page. Nearly all of this money will come back to help people within our own community who need a helping hand.”

The Red Shield Appeal officially takes place on May 24 and 25 , but fundraising for the Red Shield appeal continues until June 30, 2025.

To take part in Gunnedah Steps for Hope or to donate directly to the Gunnedah Salvos visit digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au and search ‘Gunnedah’