The Red Shield Appeal heads north
Captain Darren Kingston and Allen Minniecon on a mission to the Torres Strait to establish the Red Shield Appeal for the first time (Credit: Photo courtesy of Allen Minniecon).
For the first time in history The Salvation Army will hold the Red Shield Appeal in the Torres Strait, including Bamaga in Cape York and Thursday Island.
Captain Darren Kingston, the hub leader for Far North Queensland, and Allen Minniecon, the Indigenous engagement officer for the Cairns region, have organised the appeal, and are excited at the connections it may bring.
“The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal hasn't been held on Thursday Island or the areas around Bamaga at all,” says Captain Kingston.
“This year’s Red Shield Appeal will be used as a fact-finding mission. We have spoken to the community about what all the different needs are and found out a few things we might be able to help with.”
After spending over two years living in the area with his family, Darren’s hub now covers hundreds of kilometres. His idea to bring the Red Shield Appeal to the area was motivated by the desire to cover more of Far North Queensland, and begin ministry initiatives in areas where there is no Salvation Army work.
“There is quite a big community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders, as well as Papua New Guineans and other Australians. The biggest problems that they face are domestic violence, alcoholism, gambling and a lack of general and financial counselling. There is also poverty and pretty high unemployment in some areas,” says Captain Kingston.
After hearing about the Red Shield Appeal, community members have expressed their desire to serve alongside The Salvation Army and see their work established in the Torres Strait.
“Part of the vision is to have an expression of The Salvation Army in a lot of the towns in Far North Queensland. Thursday Island and Bamaga were the furthest away, and we had the opportunity to go and establish a committee up there for the Red Shield Appeal,” says Captain Kingston.
While community members know of The Salvation Army’s work, the Red Shield Appeal will raise awareness of the organisation’s presence in their area, and its willingness to assist them.
“This will be a great opportunity to get up there and not just hold the Red Shield Appeal, but to also look at starting work and doing ministry up there. It will be the northernmost point of Australia to be collected this year!”
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