Vinnies to help disadvantaged Queenslanders get Back to School and Study.

Vinnies is on a mission to help disadvantaged children and adults get the quality education they need to succeed.

In launching the Vinnies Back to School and Study Appeal, Vinnies Queensland State President Dennis Innes said the charity has seen a growing demand for its services as each school year begins.
“Requests for our help at this time of year have more than doubled,” he said.

“We are hearing from people who can’t afford all the basic school supplies needed for their children to be successful, parents who have not been able to buy their kids new school uniforms in years.”

Mr Innes said Vinnies was determined to help provide better education outcomes for vulnerable Queenslanders.

“One in five children in Australia is starting school developmentally vulnerable, and one in six is living in poverty, the best way to help these kids is to provide them with everything they need to succeed at school,” he said.

“Many adults are also trapped by poverty and can only dream of further study to help them secure a job, if we can give them that chance, through education they can break the cycle.”

With ABS data showing the cost of education has risen more than 24 per cent in the last decade Mr Innes said the need to support people in need with their education has never been greater.

“Parents are faced with the impossible choice of buying uniforms and school supplies or paying that week’s rent, he said.”

“With your support we can ensure thousands of Queensland families are not burdened by having to make these impossible decisions.”

Mr Innes said Vinnies adult education programs provide opportunities to people who aspire to improve their lives.

“Through our Vinnies Clemente program we are able to make higher education an achievable option for people who have not even completed high school,” he said.

“Sixty-five per cent of Clemente students went on to university or other higher education last year.

Mr Innes said one of the aims of the appeal was to be able to provide more struggling students with tutoring support.

“For both kids and adults simply having the chance to receive some tutoring can be all they need to excel,” he said.

“We assisted more than 1,680 children with the schooling last year, with your support we can help thousands more.”

Donations to the Vinnies Back to School and Study Appeal can be made at http://bit.ly/SupportingEducation or by phoning 13 18 12.

ENDS.

Media contact: Vinnies Queensland/NT Communications Officer Joshua Paterson. Phone: 0408 675 567 | Email: joshua.paterson@svdpqld.org.au