Footloose Friday - stepping up on 20 August for Queenslanders in need

BRISBANE – 2 AUGUST 2010 – An estimated one in four Queenslanders live in some kind of poverty according to the Queensland Council of Social Services and countless more need support within their lives. Every day Wesley Mission Brisbane help over 3000 people - on Friday 20 August, Footloose Friday, you can help Wesley Mission Brisbane.

The compassionate stories of Wesley Mission Brisbane (WMB) are limitless. For example Chloe* is 13 and living alone with her alcoholic mother. When WMB met her she was struggling to stay in school and was only attending part time. She was a struggling with her aggression and her relationship and was unresponsive and troubled. WMB helped both Chloe and her mother get the support they needed.

Now Chloe attends school full time and during the weekend she is learning to surf. Her mother is also improving and together they are learning to have a healthy mother and daughter relationship.

Sophie* and her two children fled their home to escape domestic violence. They had nowhere to go but the streets. WMB helped them find a home, a support network and new life skills. Today they are happily settled in their new home and are looking forward to a positive future.

 “Footloose Friday is about supporting these people”, says WMB Executive Director Geoff Batkin. “The work WMB does helps people when they need it most, giving them the opportunities they need to try and reach their potential. Your donation can make a world of difference.”

“Our mission statement is all about walking alongside and in relationship with people to enhance their lives – it is a living mission of true social justice and equity and that is what we do. Footloose Friday is your chance to support us. Giving a little to help someone get back on their feet isn’t a lot to ask, but it is a lot to receive and it can literally turn a person’s life around.”

Wesley Mission Brisbane will be holding a number of events on Footloose Friday, 20 August, including a cake and muffin stall outside Albert Street Church in the city, a Big Breakfast at Chermside and a BBQ lunch at Sinnamon Village and on the Gold Coast all of which are open to the community. There will be collectors selling merchandise at various points throughout the city and merchandise is also available for people to sell at their school or workplace.

 “I urge everyone across Brisbane to help us by supporting Footloose Friday this year,” says Geoff Batkin. “Please help us help those in need. ”

Footloose Friday on August 20 is Wesley Mission Brisbane’s Signature fundraising event and all money donated to Footloose Friday goes directly back to those who need it.

 *Names have been changed to protect identity and confidentiality.

Please contact: Jocelyn Amey for further information, images or interviews on (07) 3621 4679 or j.amey@wmb.org.au or Aileen Wallace on (07) 3621 4677 or a.wallace@wmb.org.au