21 May 2026
“Be the hope our community desperately needs right now”
Support the Townsville community through The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal this year
The Salvation Army in Townsville is calling on locals to dig deep and get involved in the Red Shield Appeal this year, raising vital funds to support those in our local region who are doing it tough.
Australia’s largest and longest-running door-knock appeal is in its 62nd year and aims to raise $41 million nationally, which funds life-changing community programs across the country.
“We know that people are doing it really tough in our community right now, as global uncertainty coupled with further increases in the cost of living locally puts an incredible strain on individuals and families. We know that many are on the edge of breaking point as they struggle to make ends meet,” said Major Petra Dorman, leader of The Salvation Army at Townsville.
“That is why we are calling on those in Townsville to dig deep, get involved in the Red Shield Appeal, and be the hope our community desperately needs right now.”
The funds raised for the Red Shield Appeal will support people within the Townsville community and surrounds, will be used to meet the needs faced by those who are struggling and need a hand.
Red Shield Appeal funds have supported a range of community services aimed at meeting immediate needs and strengthening long-term wellbeing. This has included emergency financial assistance, helping individuals and families during times of crisis. Support has included petrol vouchers, as well as emergency food relief, including food parcels, pantry items, and a community meals for those experiencing food insecurity.
The Red Shield Appeal support the Salvation Army’s Townsville Recovery Centre which offers a medicated community withdrawal management / detoxification service and residential rehabilitation program for people who are experiencing significant harms due to their alcohol or other drug use.
“There is no better way to support those doing it tough than by donating or volunteering with us this year. We can’t do our work in the community without you, so we are calling on people to partner with The Salvation Army this Red Shield Appeal and see the powerful transformation that takes place when we come together to support our fellow Aussies in need,” Major Petra Dorman added.
The Red Shield Appeal culminates in the Red Shield Weekend (May 30 and 31), and there are a number of ways to get involved throughout the month of May- volunteering by collecting at local shopping centres and other locations, door knocking, online fundraising, organising a collection at your workplace, school or sporting event and making a donation.
The Salvos across the country are aiming to recruit an army of 15,000 volunteers for the Red Shield Appeal this year, so please reach out to your local Salvos to find out more about volunteering opportunities by visiting salvationarmy.org.au/red-shield-appeal
Across Australia last year, through The Salvation Army’s network of over 400 centres and 2,000 services in areas such as homelessness, family and domestic violence, youth, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, financial hardship and much more, the Salvos provided:*
- Assistance to one person every 17 seconds
- More than 1.74 million sessions of care to over 228,000 people in need
- Over 1 million nights of safe accommodation
- More than 1.4 million meals to those who accessed our homelessness services.
To donate or volunteer for The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, or if you need support from the Salvos, visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS. You can also donate at any Salvos Store.
ENDS
For more information, please contact QLD External Communications Manager – Rendle Williams 0425 242 789, or The Salvation Army’s Media Relations Department on (02) 94663143
*The Salvation Army’s Annual Report 2025
