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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&nbsp; vulnerable individuals and families across the ACT and surrounding regions, including the Far South Coast,&nbsp; the Snowy Mountains, and the Western Region of NSW, during this winter season. This appeal aims to&nbsp; raise $450,000 to assist people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, poverty, and the ever-growing&nbsp; pressure of cost-of-living crises.&nbsp;
Homelessness and housing instability can affect anyone, and for many, it often happens without a&nbsp; warning. “It was dehumanising – having to use public bathrooms, because you don’t have your own,” said&nbsp; Isabella*, recalling the time she and her sister Abigail* had to sleep in their cars after a family breakdown.&nbsp;
Sudden life events such as the death of a loved one, sudden job loss or relationship breakdowns can&nbsp; expose people to a chain of events that results in homelessness. Growing up in a volatile household,&nbsp; Isabella and Abigail were forced to move states after their parents separated. Struggling to find stability,&nbsp; they eventually found themselves living in their car. But after securing housing, their situation began to&nbsp; 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&nbsp; people experiencing homelessness make us reflect that it could happen to anyone. It could be someone&nbsp; you know. An old friend who escaped domestic violence is couch surfing between friends’ or strangers’&nbsp; homes. A former colleague who is in and out of crisis accommodation”.&nbsp;
Every day, Vinnies volunteer members provide essential support such as food, clothing, fuel, utility and&nbsp; medical bills to those at risk, working to ensure that short-term hardship does not turn into long-term&nbsp; disadvantage. When Isabelle and Abigail had their housing application approved, they connected with&nbsp; Vinnies, who helped them with furniture to transform their empty unit into a home, gave them food&nbsp; hampers that catered to their personal needs. “At the time I was going through a lot of digestive problems.&nbsp; 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&nbsp; are seeing an increase in the number of people calling our Emergency Relief Helpline for assistance in the&nbsp; ACT &amp; 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&nbsp; women.”
These alarming numbers call for an urgent call to action. This winter we are aiming to raise $450,000 to&nbsp; help people experiencing disadvantage like Isabell and Abigail in the ACT and surrounding areas. Make a&nbsp; tax-deductible donation before the end of financial year, call 13 18 12 or visit <a href="https://www.vinnies.org.au">www.vinnies.org.au</a>
*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

Rich Text

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