The 2014 Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal doorknock will take place on May 25 and organisers hope to smash last year’s record with a target of $61,000. 

From last year’s efforts two part-time staff had been employed who work with people in emergency financial assistance situations. 

Salvation Army Major Greg Saunders said it was often difficult for people to break the cycle. 

“They come in and see our welfare worker if they have become dependant ... she helps them with their budgets and gives them one-on -one time,” he said.

He said the army used funds to set up the community event Just Brass which provides music lessons for children who would otherwise not be able to afford them. 

“Most of the expenditure is on welfare in Orange,” he said.

The Red Shield Appeal was launched yesterday by Lieutenant Colonel Don Woodland who had dedicated 54 years of his life to the Salvation Army and had been been chaplain in the NSW Fire Brigade where he learned trauma management skills.

He was the first chaplain appointed to a statutory body in Australia. 

The launch was attended by 120 people and the idea was those 120 people took back the message of the appeal to their workplaces, their homes and their friends.

“Donate one day to help a million,” he said. 

Attendees bid on auction items and pledged money to kick-start the fundraising and in past years the launch had collected $30,000. 

At least 400 volunteers were needed on the day and volunteers were only required to donate about two hours of their day. People who could drive school children around were also needed.  

For information go to www.salvos.org.au