This month marks the 60th anniversary of the Red Shield Appeal which is an important reminder of the work performed by the Salvation Army in our own community.
Whether in times of drought or the current cost-of-living crisis, the Salvos have been a trusted support service for many families and those in hardship. This is why Chamber member, the Singh Property Group, has set-up a “digital doorknock” with a goal of raising $50,000 – of which every cent will remain in the Tamworth Region.
As Chair of the local Red Shield Appeal, Bryan Singh is putting the challenge out to the business community to ensure the Tamworth Division of the Salvation Army can continue to provide emergency relief, financial counselling, and family support.
Large or small, every dollar counts and donations over $2 are tax deductable with receipts available via the digital donation platform.
To support this year’s Appeal and read more about how your donation will be used locally, visit the Tamworth Digital Door-knock HERE.
Caroline
Adrian's Story
As a five-year-old boy, Adrian would pedal his bike to the Blacktown Salvation Army branch for Sunday School. Already he knew this was somewhere that he would be cared for, but little did he know how much the Salvos would be there for him over the next 42 years.
“High functioning” is how Adrian describes his drug use, starting when he was 12 and continuing throughout his adult life.
“I was an extremely successful addict,” Adrian quips, “Working three jobs a day during the week and two more on the weekend when I was a teenager. And then climbing the ladder in a career in contract management and doing jobs all over the world. Every step of the way I was using, and I thought I was unstoppable, until of course I wasn’t.”
On his travels he remembered the work of the Salvation Army and would often make a point at stopping by local Corps to offer volunteer support. It would only be a few short months later he would be on the receiving end of the Salvation Army’s generosity.
After being made redundant in the United Kingdom and having to return to Australia, leaving behind a partner and all his connections, his stock started to plummet.
“It was at that point I had a mental breakdown and was homeless for the first time. To look at me people had no idea, but I was still using drugs and my mental health was continuing to deteriorate.”
Adrian ventured to where he knew he could get support, the Salvation Army Centre in Bourke Street Melbourne.
“They offered a safe place to sleep, a decent feed, and kind volunteers who were there for me,” says Adrian.
Over the next decade Adrian would battle his addiction with eight stints in rehab, bouts of homelessness, violence, and continue to struggle with his mental health. Wherever he went, the Salvos offered familiarity and support as one of the only positive constants in his life.
It was 18 months ago that Adrian arrived in Tamworth, fleeing a violent situation and once again homeless. As soon as he could access a computer, the first thing he searched for was the Salvation Army in Tamworth.
“I had nothing when I arrived, and I rocked up at the Corps and said to them “I’m homeless and I need help”. The officer responded, “We can help.””
Adrian was able to access a swag and access to resources through the Doorways program in Tamworth, with a dedicated case worker who provides referrals to local mental health services in Tamworth and helps him stay off drugs by checking in and lending a friendly ear.
Fast forward to today, and Adrian is working, bought himself a car and regained his licence, and is looking forward to a brighter future. A registered volunteer with the Salvos, he takes great pride in the local facility and comes in to clean, talk with people and care for the grounds.
“My mental health and addiction issues where at their worst when I had no purpose in the day, when I had no job, relationship or places to be,” Adrian tears up, “The Salvos here have given me everything. They have given me a place I belong, a community to be part of, and they have not just helped me at my lowest but encouraged me to do it for myself. They have given me a purpose, respect, and love.”
“Life is now my drug. Yes, bad stuff has happened in my life, but so has good, and every day now I am so thankful to be here and have the gift of life.”
Every day the Tamworth Corps of the Salvation Army provides emergency relief, financial counselling, and family support. The Red Shield Appeal is the Army’s major fundraising drive to help deliver these services locally, giving people like Adrian hope in the face of hardship. Your donation to the Red Sheild Appeal this May will make a difference in the lives of people in your community.
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