2025 Vinnies Winter Appeal launched to support vulnerable across the ACT & surrounding regions.

Today, Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn launches the 2025 Vinnies Winter Appeal to support the most 
vulnerable individuals and families across the ACT and surrounding regions, including the Far South Coast, 
the Snowy Mountains, and the Western Region of NSW, during this winter season. This appeal aims to 
raise $450,000 to assist people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, poverty, and the ever-growing 
pressure of cost-of-living crises. 

Homelessness and housing instability can affect anyone, and for many, it often happens without a 
warning. “It was dehumanising – having to use public bathrooms, because you don’t have your own,” said 
Isabella*, recalling the time she and her sister Abigail* had to sleep in their cars after a family breakdown. 

Sudden life events such as the death of a loved one, sudden job loss or relationship breakdowns can 
expose people to a chain of events that results in homelessness. Growing up in a volatile household, 
Isabella and Abigail were forced to move states after their parents separated. Struggling to find stability, 
they eventually found themselves living in their car. But after securing housing, their situation began to 
improve with the support of local Vinnies volunteer members who provide essential help in times of crisis.

Deborah Dean, local Vinnies volunteer member from West Wyalong said “The real-life stories we hear of 
people experiencing homelessness make us reflect that it could happen to anyone. It could be someone 
you know. An old friend who escaped domestic violence is couch surfing between friends’ or strangers’ 
homes. A former colleague who is in and out of crisis accommodation”. 

Every day, Vinnies volunteer members provide essential support such as food, clothing, fuel, utility and 
medical bills to those at risk, working to ensure that short-term hardship does not turn into long-term 
disadvantage. When Isabelle and Abigail had their housing application approved, they connected with 
Vinnies, who helped them with furniture to transform their empty unit into a home, gave them food 
hampers that catered to their personal needs. “At the time I was going through a lot of digestive problems. 
They put together a gluten-free hamper which was so considerate,” says Abigail.

Paula Bounds, Vinnies Emergency Relief Helpline and local volunteer member from Canberra said, “We 
are seeing an increase in the number of people calling our Emergency Relief Helpline for assistance in the 
ACT & surrounding regions. In the past six months, we have seen a 15% increase in calls for assistance as compared to previous six months. Shockingly, 62% of all calls received during this period have come from 
women.”

These alarming numbers call for an urgent call to action. This winter we are aiming to raise $450,000 to 
help people experiencing disadvantage like Isabell and Abigail in the ACT and surrounding areas. Make a 
tax-deductible donation before the end of financial year, call 13 18 12 or visit www.vinnies.org.au

*We use a different name and image to protect the privacy of the people we support.

Media contact: Nikita Nair, nikita.nair@vinnies-cg.org.au or call 0490 209 692