The Canberra Refugee Society thanks all those who read about their Afghani boxer and his family in Canberra Daily in September and chose to donate.
The ‘Call Out to Caring Canberra’ campaign was hugely successful, according to the family’s volunteer neighbour, Bob, raising nearly $40,000 in just three weeks.
This substantially surpassed the charity’s goal of raising $30,000 for refugee families affected by COVID-19 lockdowns, in the absence of the Society’s usual annual fundraising dinner.
“These donations will help provide a monthly ‘living allowance’ to families who are ineligible for Centrelink support, or are on reduced Government support, while the Administrative Appeals Tribunal hears their applications to stay in Australia,” said Bob.
Meaning that every person who donated their dollars to help asylum seeker and refugee families, aided those not currently being financially protected by the system.
This includes people like Gloria*, a single mother with two daughters on a temporary visa. Gloria was supporting her family through disability support work but lost her regular casual hours when she was hospitalised and required surgery.
By the time she had recovered, the first round of COVID-19 lockdowns was in place. Gloria has since struggled to re-establish enough regular work hours to support herself and her daughters, despite having qualifications in both childcare and disability support.
As the family is ineligible for government income support, she relies on financial assistance from the Canberra Refugee Society until she can once again find her feet.
Many Afghan families in Canberra are facing similar situations to Gloria’s, as well anxiety for their families and friends back home.
“There has never been a greater need for the good neighbour support and family advocacy that Canberra Refugee Society and other community groups provide,” said Bob.
The Society’s next fundraiser will be the ‘Festive Food Appeal’ where Canberrans are asked to donate $20 or less to help purchase Christmas hampers for the city’s refugees and asylum seekers.
In a season ripe with gift-giving, why not pay it forward to local families who would appreciate it the most.
* Not her real name
To support families like this one, visit Canberra Refugee Support at canberrarefugee.org.au
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