THE SALVATION Army has seen a plunge in donations from Canberrans for its annual Red Shield Doorknock Appeal. 

Appeal Director Captain Dale Murray says Canberrans donated $178,479 to The Doorknock Appeal over the weekend, a decrease of approximately 9 per cent from 2012.

Across Southern NSW, $169,490 was donated, a decrease of 2 per cent compared to the 2012 result, and nationally, $6.1 million was donated, approximately 6 per cent less than 2012.

Despite the results, Mr Murray is confident the charity can still reach their goal of $245,000.

“There will be some volunteers continuing to collect donations up to 31st May and over the next few weeks more donations will be received and banked,” he says.

Over 1,000 volunteers donated their time to the appeal across Canberra.

“We know many Australians are struggling to make ends meet and household budgets have been impacted by increasing costs of living,” Mr Murray says.

“Data released by The Salvation Army last week indicated that of 2,705 of our clients who were surveyed, 66 per cent had cut down on basic necessities, 28 per cent could not even afford a substantial meal once a day (but would make sure their children were fed), 27 per cent couldn’t afford heating in just one room of the house, and 58% couldn’t pay utility bills on time. It is to meet these and many other needs faced by everyday Australians that The Salvation Army still urgently needs your support to make this year’s Red Shield Appeal a success.”

Donations can still be made by visiting www.salvos.org.au, calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58); or in person at any Westpac branch.