• Karinya walkers step out
A procession of walkers wearing The Salvation Army's red shield made their way around Lake Wendouree in Ballarat on Saturday as part of an annual fundraising and awareness campaign. The Salvos’ Karinya Support Service organised the Walking Home event, which was a chance for the group to raise much-needed funds for their work. The group provides several family welfare services, including crisis accommodation, childcare, case management and counselling. Its clients include those who have experienced family violence, trauma, homelessness and social isolation. The Walking Home fundraiser began in 2016 and sees Karinya support staff and community members come together. Louise Jeffrey, Karinya Support Services Child, Youth and Communities Team Leader, said she was pleased with Saturday’s turnout and was able to talk to the public about the work the group did. “The money that we raise is for our children and young people who come through our program,” she said. “With the funds raised, we will look at doing a variety of things for the children. “We want to be able to offer them opportunities that their peers may have that these kids do not have available to them. Whether that be activities outside of school, linking them in with a paediatrician, buying them a new school uniform, or new shoes. “Just things so that they don’t stand out for experiencing financial hardship or vulnerability at home. We want them to feel like the other kids.” The group has a fundraising goal of $5000. For more information and to donate, click here.
*An edited version of an article courtesy of the Ballarat Courier
