Wesley Mission Emergency Appeal Launched as Economic Downturn Deepens

08 December 2008

Wesley Mission has launched an emergency appeal as Australia’s worsening financial and housing crisis deepens.

Wesley Mission staff are already seeing the effects of the crisis: 448 families have come to Wesley Mission seeking emergency relief, food and financial assistance in the past three months - a 25 per cent increase on the previous period.

Unemployment levels are also predicted to rise. Household debt is already at record levels, and many families have borrowed to their capacity, leaving them dangerously exposed. A job loss, or even an injury or serious illness, could be a disaster for those families in the coming months.

The CEO of Wesley Mission the Rev Keith Garner said that while many people are talking about the global economic crisis there was real concern for the thousands of families in Sydney and NSW who are being directly affected.

“We urgently need public support to care for the people who have found themselves in dire circumstances,” he said.

Donations can be made by phoning 1800 021 821 or by visiting the Wesley Mission web site: www.wesleymission.org.au/donate