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Smith Family's Christmas Appeal to help 10,000 young Australians

Media releases

15 December 2013

The Smith Family has called on the public to “dig deep” for its 2013 Christmas Appeal and help 10,000 vulnerable Australian children and young people get the education they deserve.

This year’s appeal aims to raise $4 million nationally which will go towards providing learning support and mentoring programs to 10,000 disadvantaged children and young people.

The Smith Family’s CEO, Dr Lisa O’Brien, said one-in-10 Australian children lived in disadvantaged families with many parents struggling to meet the costs of their child’s education.

She said The Smith Family – Australia’s largest provider of education support to disadvantaged children and families – was determined to address the problem, one child at a time.

“It’s a mistake to believe that in Australia in 2013 all kids have access to the best education,” said Dr O’Brien.

“The Smith Family works in 96 communities around the country – supporting 112,000 children and their families each year – and we see every day how lack of income and financial challenges create barriers to learning.

“Kids are not only missing out on school books, uniforms, shoes, equipment and excursions because of the expense, but they’re also not getting the help they need with their homework, reading and numeracy. They’re behind at school and are slipping further and further back.

“There are large gaps in educational performance between kids in disadvantaged Australian communities and their more privileged peers at every level, in Year 12 completion and in post-school work or study.

“With the public’s support of our 2013 Christmas appeal we can help to change that.

“We aim to raise $4 million nationally which will provide 10,000 vulnerable Australian kids with access to our learning and mentoring programs.

“For example, programs such as The Smith Family’s Learning Clubs. Children from disadvantaged families are less likely to have access to the resources they need to do well at school – from books and a quiet place to study, to parents who can help with their homework.

“Our Learning Clubs give children a safe and supportive after-school learning environment where they can get the resources and help they need.

“For many Australians, The Smith Family encapsulates the spirit of Christmas. We were established in 1922 by a group of businessmen donating gifts to disadvantaged children. Reaching out to children and families in need at Christmas is a central part of The Smith Family’s heritage.

“As a charity, our efforts are limited by how much we’re able to fundraise. To reach more kids, to help more young Australians on the path to a successful education, we need the public’s help,” said Dr O’Brien.

You can donate to The Smith Family’s Christmas Appeal by visiting www.thesmithfamily.com.au or by calling 1800 024 069.

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au