Gold Coast rallies for Red Shield appeal 2025
Gold Coast rallies for Red Shield Appeal 2025 to fight homelessness—Red Shield Weekend runs 24–25 May.
What’s happening?
The Salvation Army is urging Gold Coasters to take part in its 61st Red Shield Appeal, culminating in Red Shield Weekend on 24–25 May 2025. The Salvos aim to raise $38 million nationwide to support Australians in crisis, including those facing homelessness, domestic violence, addiction, and financial stress.
Why it matters
According to The Salvation Army’s Rendle Williams, community support is critical:
“The last few years have been incredibly tough… We cannot do this without the ongoing and loyal support of the community… We need you to partner with us to be the hope our community so desperately needs.”
As housing affordability worsens across the Gold Coast, the Red Shield Appeal represents both a lifeline and a community rallying point for compassion in action.
Local Impact
The 2025 Social Justice Stocktake reveals just how deep the housing crisis runs across Gold Coast electorates:
Fadden: 79.6% identified housing affordability/homelessness as a local issue; 34.2% said it personally affects them.
Moncrieff: Estimated 779 people are experiencing homelessness, with an unmet housing need of 8,400 dwellings.
These figures reflect worsening trends compared to 2022, highlighting the urgency to address housing stress at its core.
By the numbers
One person receives help from The Salvation Army every 17 seconds across Australia.
In 2024, the Salvos delivered 1.76 million sessions of care to over 250,000 people.
They provided 1.1 million bed nights and 1.5 million meals to people experiencing homelessness.
Zoom In
The Red Shield Appeal isn't just about donations. You can also get involved by:
Volunteering at local shopping centres
Door-knocking and online fundraising
Hosting collections at schools, workplaces, and sporting events
Donating at any Salvos Store or online HERE
Zoom Out
The broader Social Justice Stocktake highlights Queensland’s leading social concerns, with 76.8% of respondents flagging housing affordability/homelessness, and 60.6% identifying financial hardship. These issues mirror national trends but hit particularly hard in fast-growing regions like the Gold Coast.
What to look for next
As the Red Shield Appeal unfolds throughout May, Gold Coasters can expect to see more local activations and calls for support. Community members are encouraged to sign up, show up, and speak out to address the growing housing crisis and provide relief for those doing it tough.
For more data and electorate-specific insights, visit the Salvation Army’s 2025 Social Justice Stocktake reports:
Fadden: View report
Moncrieff: View report
McPherson: View report