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2015 Winter Appeal: $3.5M the target to support disadvantaged kids at school

Media releases

20 May 2015

With more than one in 10 Australian children living in disadvantage¹, The Smith Family’s 2015 Winter Appeal aims to raise $3.5 million for the ongoing support of thousands of these kids so they can succeed at school.

Today marks the official start of the Appeal, which will run until Tuesday 30 June.

The Smith Family CEO, Dr Lisa O’Brien, said: This year’s campaign aims to raise greater awareness about how a family’s severe financial hardship can impact on a child’s learning.

“Through this year’s Winter Appeal – No child should ever feel like this - we are highlighting the vulnerability and isolation many disadvantaged children feel at school when they are struggling to keep up with their classmates,” Dr O’Brien said.

“Research shows that children who grow up in financial disadvantage are more likely to experience financial hardship as adults – they continue the cycle.

“Without the extra support and tools they need for school, they’ll fall even further behind and never reach their full potential.

“By supporting these children to participate fully in their education, we can empower Australian children in need to create a better future for themselves. We can help them break the cycle of poverty.

“I really urge the community to get behind our Winter Appeal. With your support we’ll be able to deliver life-changing support for so many disadvantaged children.

“We currently have 9,575 Australian children who need support today.”

Donations from the 2015 Winter Appeal will fund vital before and after-school learning programs. They will help disadvantaged children participate at school and develop the skills they need to learn.

All of The Smith Family’s programs are focused on helping children to do well in their journey through school – from early childhood right through to tertiary study - delivering long-term benefits to them, their families and, potentially, future generations.

Anyone wishing to donate to The Smith Family’s Winter Appeal can phone 1800 024 069.

¹Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013). Labour force, Australia: Labour force status and other characteristics of families, June 2012

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