On any given day, there are vulnerable children on the Sunshine Coast who are not safe and may be hungry or homeless.
As Christmas draws closer, an important campaign that aims to give the gift of safety to children is set to make its return.
Each year, local organisation SunnyKids runs its Sunny Xmas for Kids appeal. The appeal hopes to support 150 vulnerable families for the next 12 months.
But to fulfil this dream, the organisation is calling on the community for help.
While the festive season is typically a time for catching up with family and just taking time out, there are just as many families who do not know how they will keep their kids’ safe tonight or how they will even feed them.
SunnyKids CEO Kathleen Hope said right now, there was a Coast mother and her four children needing to flee a violent household and into safety.
She said this same mum would need a safety plan, an advocate to navigate the system and someone to lean on while she rebuilt a life for herself and her children.
This year alone, SunnyKids has helped more than 2000 individuals, which was up a staggering 22 per cent on last year.
Ms Hope said that, given this year-on-year increase in the need for services, she knew the next 12 months would be a critical time for vulnerable Coast families.
“Sadly, the demand for our services is increasing and as the population grows and the rental market tightens, this only serves to add extra pressure on families already doing it tough,” Ms Hope said.
“When children and families need help, they present to SunnyKids either via self-referral or referral by schools, agencies or authorities, with the most prominent issues in 2021-22 being domestic and family violence, economic instability and the housing crisis.
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“This financial year, we saw an increase of over 40 per cent in terms of referrals and in order to ensure we can meet this demand and put all the safety nets in place, we really need the help of the Sunshine Coast community.
“This ensures that not only do we give these families hope this Christmas, but so they can move forward knowing there is support there for all of 2023.”
Ms Hope said this year’s fundraising goal was $90,000 and that by sponsoring a family, SunnyKids would ensure a child has a gift to open on Christmas Day and their family can look forward to a brighter future.
“For as little as $600, or $50 a month, we are asking people to sponsor a family and really make 2023 a year that’s filled with hope and opportunity,” Ms Hope said.
The Sunny Xmas for Kids appeal will run until Christmas. You can sponsor a child here.
If you or someone you know is at risk DVConnect offers 24-hour support on 1800 811 811, or phone Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can also contact SunnyKids on 5479 0394. If you are in a life-threatening situation, call 000 immediately.
