Get ready, Canberra! The ACT region’s largest charitable fundraising appeal, “Hands Up 4 CBR” Giving Day, will start at 10am tomorrow, Wednesday 9 March, aiming to raise one million dollars for local charities in 48 hours.

Seventy-five local charities and community organisations will be taking part this year’s 48-hour fundraising appeal.

Launched by Hands Across Canberra, the third annual Canberra Day Appeal “Hands Up 4 CBR” Giving Day will this time see 75 local charities teaming up to raise $1,000,000 – double the $500,000 target set in 2021.

Every dollar donated will become $2 with matched funding available for the first $5,000 raised by each charity.

Local charities involved this year include Pegasus Riding for the Disabled, Raw Potential Canberra (which provides outreach services to young people aged 12-25, Good Omen Goodeze Inc, GIVIT, Multicultural Hub Canberra, Women’s Legal Centre ACT, and Mental Illness Education ACT.

Two charities involved in the appeal this year for the first time include:

• Common Ground Canberra – a supportive housing initiative focused on providing quality tenant outcomes for people who have experienced chronic homelessness. They will use the funds raised to buy furniture and housing supplies for a new home for a person transitioning from long-term homeless.
• Canberra City Care –  for 21 years, they’ve provided a diverse range of services including a food pantry, second-hand op shop, affordable IT services, and a community kitchen and garden. CCC also provides opportunities for NDIS and Employment programs to support people to find meaningful work. They will be raising funds so they can open a community café that will be serviced by their kitchen and the vegetable garden, creating a safe and welcoming place for all members of the community and more opportunities for employment.

Last year’s Hands Up 4 CBR Giving Day raised $640,000 for 60 charities, surpassing its $500,000 goal on the first day, and far exceeding the $130,000 raised in the inaugural year, 2020 – just before the pandemic was declared.

To make a donation to a local charity of your choice or to find other ways to get involved, you can visit canberraday.org.au

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