The Salvation Army partners with Kings to create brighter Christmas

The Salvation Army is looking to leave no one in need this Christmas through a newly-formed partnership with the National Basketball League’s Sydney Kings, which will raise much needed funds to support Aussies doing it tough this Christmas.  

Christmas Night this year will see a specially organised game between the Sydney Kings and Melbourne United at Qudos Bank Arena, with contributions from ticket sales being donated to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal.  

“Christmas is a wonderful time of year for many Australians but unfortunately this is not the cause for an increasing number of people presenting to the Salvos for help," said Major David Collinson, The Salvation Army’s NSW Public Relations Secretary.  

"We are seeing people that experience Christmas as the most stressful, lonely and financial burdensome time of the year,” 

“We expect this Christmas will be one of the busiest we have ever seen, as the impact of the rising cost of living hits everyday Australians and the most vulnerable even harder.

"This is why we are grateful for the partnership with the Sydney Kings, as it will help The Salvos support Aussies in need around the country.”  

Research conducted by The Salvation Army last Christmas found that a staggering 83 per cent of those presenting to The Salvos were struggling to afford Christmas presents for their children, more than half (53 per cent) could not afford a meal on Christmas Day and over a third (36 per cent) experienced feeling lonely and isolated at Christmas.  

The Salvation Army expects this Christmas to bring unprecedented need for support.  

“After what has been a massive few years of COVID, natural disasters and financial impacts, it is heart-breaking to see too many Australians continue to experience need and hardship at unprecedented levels," Major Collinson siad.

"But there is hope.

"Hope that as a communities come together and stand side by side; we can do our part to ensure no one is left in need and that everyone experiences the joy and hope of Christmas this year.”  

In a typical Christmas season, The Salvation Army:  

• Distributes more than 64,000 hampers and vouchers to those struggling to make ends meet at Christmas time.
• Gives out hundreds of thousands of gifts and toys to families in need, to ensure that no child has to go without a present under the tree on Christmas Day.
• Provides more than 130,000 meals and 66,000 beds for those in need of accommodation during the festive season.

“This year, The Salvation Army will support hundreds of thousands of Australians in need and we cannot do it alone," said Major Collinson.  

"This is why The Salvation Army is excited and grateful about partnering with the Sydney Kings on the Christmas Night game.

"We know the power that lies in coming together as a community, to join in shared experiences that create a real sense of hope and joy in Christmas that would have otherwise been lacking in the lives of many Australians.” 

Tickets for the Sydney Kings versus Melbourne United Christmas game, which starts at 7.15pm at Qudos Bank Arena, go on sale from August 25 and can be purchased at www.sydneykings.com.