Australian Rugby League player, Mr Nathan Hindmarsh, was keynote speaker at the Central Coast Red Shield Appeal official opening breakfast, held at Mingara Recreation Club, on May 4.
Mr Hindmarsh, who is an ambassador for the Clubs NSW ClubSAFE Program, spoke candidly about his career and his experience with gambling. “I share my personal struggle with gambling to raise awareness of the support services available to people facing that same struggle, and in the hope that it will encourage others to reach out for help. “I am delighted to be in a position to lend my support to The Salvation Army, and I do so knowing that the Red Shield Appeal is vital to their work,” he said. Nationally, the Red Shield Appeal contributes close to $4m to The Salvation Army’s social services on the Central Coast. Services like Dooralong Transformation Centre, Oasis Central Coast, Moneycare Financial Counselling and Court Chaplaincy are among the many local programs that receive considerable funding as a result of the Appeal.
Salvation Army Area Officer, Major Mark Everitt, said the assistance provided by Mr Hindmarsh and the region’s business and community leaders is invaluable. “There’s no denying that we all face challenges, but many face challenges so significantly that they are almost unthinkable. “The Salvation Army has the privilege of supporting people through their time of need, and we simply couldn’t do this without the generosity of the Central Coast community,” said Major Everitt. This year The Salvation Army hopes to raise over $250,000 as result of the Central Coast Red Shield Appeal. The opening breakfast raised more than $50,000 for the Appeal.
Source: Media release, May 5 Nicole Jenkinson, Salvation Army