More families feel the cold this winter
With the increasing costs of living, high fuel prices and a lack of emergency accommodation, Charity Link is predicting even more West Australians will be turning to local community groups for help this winter.
Charity Link is a collaborative charity organisation that co-ordinates annual appeals on behalf of over 100 ‘grass root’ member charities across rural and metropolitan Western Australia. The organisation’s annual winter appeal provides blankets and sleeping bags to more than 10,000 West Australians experiencing financial hardship and/or crisis.
To kick-start the Western Power Charity Link Winter Appeal Western Power’s managing director, Mr Doug Aberle presented a cheque of $70,000 to Rev. Alan Shepherd, chairman of Charity Link.
“This is the fifth year that Western Power has been the primary sponsor for Charity Link’s Winter Appeal, and I am delighted to continue with our support.
“The Winter Appeal makes a tangible difference to the people in Perth who do it tough, particularly in winter, and we are proud to be working alongside Charity Link to help with the essentials,” said Mr Aberle.
Charity Link Chairman, Rev. Shepherd said the sponsorship of $70,000 from Western Power would make a significant contribution to ensuring all requests for assistance can be met this winter.
Since Western Power became involved with Charity Link in 2004 it has contributed a total of $470,000 to the Western Power Charity Link Winter and Christmas Appeals.
“In 2008, Charity Link distributed a total of 9,217 blankets and sleeping bags. The combined value of these items is more than $108,000 – with 100% of Western Power’s financial contribution used to purchase the items.
“One quarter of the blankets and sleeping bags were distributed to regional areas and despite an increase of 32% we were able to fulfil all requests, “said Rev. Shepherd.
To ease this financial pressure, Charity Link purchases blankets and sleeping bags in bulk, which are then distributed free of charge to those in need, via its member agencies, to ensure all West Australians can stay warm this winter.
“This year the Western Power Charity Link Winter Appeal will provide more than 10,000 blankets and sleeping bags to help financially disadvantaged West Australians but we are urging the community to get behind the appeal,” said Rev. Shepherd.
Rev. Shepherd said Charity Link will be relying on the generosity of West Australians to raise a further $30,000, and is asking the public to help make winter warmer for those in need by making a donation to the appeal.
“Forty dollars will provide a family with two blankets and twenty dollars will buy two sleeping bags and because Lotterywest underwrites Charity Link’s administration costs we can guarantee that 100 per cent of Western Power’s sponsorship and public donations will be used to purchase blankets and sleeping bags,” Rev. Shepherd said.
Donations to the Western Power Charity Link Winter Appeal can be made the following ways.
v Cash - in person at Charity Link at Meerilinga Building, 15 Cambridge St, WEST LEEDERVILLE WA 6007
v Cheque/Money Order download a donation form, then fax or mail to us
v Credit Card - download a donation form, then fax or mail to us
v Direct Deposit – make a deposit to Charity Link Inc BSB 036 051 Account No 264 772 (Westpac Subiaco). Be sure to include your name and telephone number as a reference and/or forward a copy of your deposit slip to us so we can arrange a tax receipt
v Online donations - via the Charity Link website www.charitylink.org.au (which provides an easy, secure and convenient donation facility for 1000's of charities throughout Australia).
For more information go to www.charitylink.org.au or telephone 9489 4009.
For more information please contact:
Kate Mancini
Executive Officer – Charity Link (Inc)
Ph: 08 9489 4009 Mbl:0439 091 603
charitylink1@charitylink.org.au