IT’S time for Orange residents to give themselves a big pat on the back.
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No regional city in Australia has raised more money for the annual Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal than Orange.
Orange’s initial tally was $58,159.80 as of 5pm on Sunday. As a comparison, Dubbo raised $15,729.25 and Bathurst $7608.10.
Orange volunteers collected a staggering $28,416.65 from doorknocking alone, while $20,400 was raised at the Red Shield Appeal launch, and $9342.15 was picked up at community collection points.
Orange’s Red Shield Appeal committee chair Tony Rodd said while Orange continued to prove it was a generous city, volunteers of all ages were the key to canvassing the city, and the business launch initiative also provided a considerable boost to Orange’s fundraising efforts.
He said other towns and cities in contrast struggled to attract volunteers.
“It is an amazing result,” Mr Rodd said.
He said, however, the Red Shield Appeal was “going backwards” in some areas of Australia while Orange had been able to increase its donations by almost 8 per cent on last year’s figure.
Orange’s fundraising tally was just behind the Sydney CBD ($58,880) and ahead of the affluent North Sydney location of Mosman ($57,971.80).
However, Salvation Army Captain David Grounds said the latter ranking was unusual.
“Without taking anything away from Orange, usually they [Mosman] raise around $100,000 so I’m not sure what might have happened there,” Captain Grounds said.
This is the first time Captain Grounds has been involved with a Red Shield Appeal in Orange.
“There is great community support here in Orange and I am impressed with the help from students and clubs which is absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“Orange also has an excellent chairman in Tony Rodd and a strong committee, and before that it was led by councillor Chris Gryllis - I think that involvement is the key to our fundraising, and also the work done here by Captain Greg Saunders and his wife Karen.”
“I have been very fortunate being involved with the Red Shield Appeal since coming to Orange - I am standing on the shoulders of giants.”
While the figures released by the Salvation Army were initial figures, more money will trickle in from late donations, SMS donations and collection points yet to report in.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au
