Over the weekend of May 25-26, the Appeal will aim to raise $8 million which will go towards helping the Salvo's many services.

Australia-wide the Salvo's need 50,000 Red Shield volunteers to help raise these vital funds.

Dubbo's Salvation Army Captain David Sutcliffe encouraged locals to take part in the fundraising efforts.

"The Red Shield Appeal is a fun and simple way that Australians can really make a difference in alleviating the hardship being faced by so many people, right across our nation," Captain Sutcliffe said.

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"Hardship does not discriminate. More Australians from all walks of life are turning to The Salvation Army for help and we need the public's support now to ensure we can continue to help those doing it tough."

According to the Salvation Army, over the past 12 months, the charity has supported more than 38,000 people experiencing homelessness and 14,000 people overcoming addiction.

In this time they have also provided over 50,000 financial counselling sessions, given care to 5000 people experiencing family violence, and assisted more than 150,000 people with emergency relief.

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Captain Sutcliffe said they cannot do the Red Shield Appeal alone.

"We all have the opportunity to be beacons of hope for others and by partnering with the Salvos for just a few hours over the Red Shield Appeal weekend, you can give hope where it's needed most," he said.

To volunteer for this year's Red Shield Appeal, please call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or register online at salvationarmy.org.au.

You can donate to the Red Shield Appeal by calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58), online at salvationarmy.org.au, in person at any Westpac branch or Salvos Stores or by posting your cheque to PO Box 9888 in your capital city.