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Be the hope our community desperately needs right now - Support the Gold Coast community through The Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal

The Salvation Army Queensland

22 May 2026

 

“Be the hope our community desperately needs right now”

Support the Gold Coast community through The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal this year

 

The Salvation Army across Gold Coast and surrounds 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 62^nd 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 Rendle Williams, The Salvation Army’s spokesperson.

 

“That is why we are calling on those in Gold Coast 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 across the Gold Coast community and surrounds and will be used to meet the needs faced by those who are struggling and need a hand.

 

“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,” Rendle Williams 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

 

 

 

Media Alert

THE SALVATION ARMY LAUNCHES 2026 RED SHIELD APPEAL Gold Coast

On Tuesday 26 May, The Salvation Army will officially launch The Salvation Army’s 2026 Red Shield Appeal in Gold Coast, with a breakfast with Gold Coast’s most influential businesspeople at the Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise.

The keynote speaker for the event is Rod McGeoch AO, immediate past Chairman Emeritus of Corrs Chambers Westgarth, and former CEO of Sydney’s successful Olympic bid.  Rod McGeoch will speak on 2032 Olympics opportunity and also encouraging the business community to continue their support of The Salvation Army’s frontline services and fundraising drive in Gold Coast with a focus on helping women experiencing domestic violence and homelessness. 

Joining business leaders of Gold Coast will be The Salvation Army Queensland Commander, Major Mark Everitt.

Jose Porcia, once homeless and addicted to ice for over 13 years, will share how The Salvation Army’s rehabilitation program helped him rebuild his life.

Gold Coast City Councillor Glenn Tozer is the event’s MC.  Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel will also a guest speaker.

The Red Shield Appeal, which includes community and shopping-centre collections, online donations via a digital doorknock and culminates in the traditional doorknock appeal across the weekend of 30-31 May, is vital in enabling The Salvation Army to continue providing help to people in need.

The national fundraising target for the 2026 Red Shield Appeal is $41 million.

 

What:             The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal Breakfast Event

When:            Tuesday 26 May 2026

Time:              7am - 8.30am- event – colour vision and speakers 

                        8.45am- media interviews

Location:       Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, 2807 Gold Coast Highway

 

Who:              Major Mark Everitt, Queensland Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army

                        Joes Porcia, Testimonial speaker

                        Kevin Lawler, Salvation Army’s Southport Court Support Worker

 

For early news grabs, or B-roll and further comment, please contact Rendle Williams, The Salvation Army External Communications Manager, Qld on 0425 242 789