Individuals, groups, schools and businesses are being asked to help the organisation reach a national fundraising target of $9.5 million and a local target of $19,500. 

This year, the appeal will celebrate 50 years in Australia. 

Salvation Army Forster Tuncurry captain Chad Pethybridge said the organisation was grateful for anyone able to volunteer.   

“We would like as many volunteers as we can get but if we could get around 100...well that would be fantastic,” he said.

“The challenges we seem to face here each year is that there is a lot of elderly people in our region so finding people willing and able to door knock can be difficult.”

Funds raised will go towards a variety of Salvation Army services such as homelessness services, women’s and children’s services, emergency welfare, financial counselling, addiction recovery programs and suicide bereavement. 

Captain Pethybridge said the appeal also goes towards the operations of a summer program which is held each year for children in the Great Lakes who come from traumatic backgrounds. 

“It’s for children in primary school who don’t get the chance to have a holiday. It helps transform their lives. Last summer we were able to take six children on a camp to Collaroy in Sydney.” 

The local branch of the Salvation Army will also be holding a golf day at the Forster Golf Club on Strand Street on May 28. Locals are encouraged to get a group together to play. The cost will be $40, with all funds going to the appeal.  

There will be prizes for the winning team as well as lucky door prizes. Captain Pethybridge said the Salvos were looking for sponsorship for the event and any local businesses that can assist should contact 0400 691 691. 

 The Red Shield Appeal will take place on the weekend of May 30-31. Anyone wishing to volunteer as a door-knocker can register online at salvos.org.au, phone Captain Pethybridge or show up at 9am on either Saturday or Sunday at the Salvation Army Tuncurry office, 7 South Street.