Appeal to brighten Christmas for families

THE Ballarat Foundation has launched the 2024 Ballarat Christmas Appeal, at a time when the city’s welfare agencies are seeing a huge amount of new clients who have never sought emergency relief before.

Ballarat Foundation CEO Andrew Eales is urging locals to donate to the appeal which he said is key for the welfare of many people across the city this festive season.

The target is to raise $100,000.

“It’s incredibly important in supporting vulnerable and disadvantanged community members, raising money for four local charities that are helping those in need,” he said.

“The financial side of things is only one side of the appeal, however. We’re calling on community members to provide food, non-perishable items; anything that can really help our community have a joyful Christmas.

“Toys are also in need at this time of year, and a lot of the distributions from the Ballarat Christmas Appeal help families, and those are the ones we’re targeting with the appeal this year.”

Donations to the Ballarat Christmas Appeal are shared between The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Anglicare, and Uniting.

“At this time of year, we see an unprecedented demand for support from people across all our services,” said Uniting senior manager community engagement and support Warrick Davison.

“The cost of living is directly impacting on people, and this is a difficult period of the year people struggle through.

“The appeal gives us the opportunity to help people out who are having a difficult time and make their Christmas a little bit brighter.”

Visit ballaratfoundation.org.au/campaign/12/ballarat-christmas-appeal for more information or to donate.