This little local fundraiser has a big goal – and it needs your help

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The stress of Christmas might now feel like a distant memory, but for many families doing it tough, January can sometimes pose even more of a challenge.
That’s why Hundreds for Thousands founder Natalie Tanchevski has extended the scope of her 2024/25 fundraiser – and she’s no stranger to the hard work it takes to raise much-needed money.
In fact, after raising over $400,000 over the past five years for Canberrans in need, she has helped over 4,000 people who have reached out to The Salvation Army for assistance – making her the nation’s most successful community fundraiser.
But this year, she needs your help.
When she announced the 2024/25 Hundreds for Thousands fundraiser, she set the goal to collect $100,000 to help 1000 families. And with just over $30,000 raised she has a long way to go.
“Post-Christmas is just as important for us as January typically sees a second wave of people reaching out to the Salvos for assistance due to financial challenges following the aftermath of Christmas and the holiday season,” she says.
“This is why our message has now turned to ‘Christmas may have come and gone but your help is still needed’.”
Receiving the 2024 ACT Hero of Hope Award from The Salvation Army, as Natalie reflects on years of running the Hundreds for Thousands fundraiser, she says she couldn’t have done it without the generous help of the local community.
“Receiving the ‘Hero of Hope’ Award was very unexpected but was so lovely to be recognised for the work I’ve put in to making the campaign a success,” she says.
“This award represents not only my own efforts but the collective efforts of every single person who has supported me, whether through financial contributions, spreading the word, or offering encouragement along the way.”
She just needs Canberrans to rally one more time before the fundraiser closes on Sunday 2 February – and to meet her goal, she’s once again partnered with local ACT and South NSW businesses to raise valuable for families experience hardship this Christmas.
All funds donated by the public will be matched by a “super donor”, meaning that every dollar donated will see two dollars go to those in need.
“Things are clearly not getting any easier for a lot of people in our community,” says National Community Fundraising Manager for The Salvation Army, Simon Gregory.
“Local Salvation Army centres continue to receive hundreds of calls for support each week and it’s only through amazing fundraisers like Natalie and the Hundreds for Thousands Campaign that we can afford to support as many people as we do at Christmas time.”
With six Salvation Army locations around Canberra (as well as sites in Queanbeyan, Yass, Cooma and Goulburn participating) it’s the perfect chance to give where you live and know that the money raised is going to a local family doing it tough.
And Natalie says every dollar will make a difference.
“Anyone wanting to donate to their local salvos can go to hundredsforthousands.salvationarmy.org.au and make a donation to their location of choice”, she says.
“Every dollar makes a difference as we try and help as many local as possible.”
For more information or to donate before Sunday 2 February, visit hundredsforthousands.salvationarmy.org.au