Apr 29 2010
By Candy Lashkari
The Salvation Army’s fundraising efforts received a major shot in the arm from Westpac boss Gail Kelly. The banker told the business leaders that the bank would match the New South Wales state government’s contribution of $200,000 to the 2010 Red Shield Appeal.
"I don't have the cheque here with me," Ms Kelly said at the appeal launch in Sydney on Wednesday. "But trust me, I'm a banker."
The doorknock campaign of the Salvation Army hopes to raise $75 million on the weekend of May 29 and May 30. The figure is rather ambitious and higher than the $73.5 million which they were able to raise in 2009. They are hoping to add the $1.5 million more needed to reach $75 million this year.
According to Ms Kelly Westpac in its former guise of the Bank of New South Wales has been supporting the Salvation Army for 120 years. The bank of NSW actually helped the Salvos build its first site in Ballarat, Victoria during the gold rush.
The relationship was not one way as in the 1800s the Salvation Army returned the favor to the bank by lending it money during a recession which followed a run on the banks. According to Ms Kelly about 1000 of the Bank’s staff will also volunteer their time to support the 2010 Red Shield Appeal’s doorknock campaign.
The 2010 Red Shield Appeal’s launch was kicked off by Rockhampton Regional Mayor Brad Carter and the Frenchville Sports Club were the first to give their generous donation of $10,000. Frenchville Sports Club Chairman mentioned that the club tried to help the community where it could and hoped that its efforts would encourage other businesses as well.
“We use the sports club as the venue each year to have the breakfast and usually each year they give us a donation, but this year they gave us a really great start.” said Captain Meaghan Gallagher of the Salvation Army.
The Capricorn branch of the Salvation Army is hoping to get 850 volunteers for the doorknock and the Salvos are also trying to mobilize more from local schools and service groups. “There will be TV ads that will highlight the appeal and Seven’s program Sunrise will also be trying to help get collectors across the nation.”said Captain Gallagher.