AUSTRALIA | Coles is baking a difference for Aussie veterans with its annual Anzac Day fundraising appeal for national military charity Bravery Trust.
Funds raised will help veterans under financial pressure, as Bravery Trust released its annual Impact Report, which revealed the challenges Australian servicemen and women face upon transitioning to civilian life and beyond.
Bravery Trust CEO Garth Callender encouraged Australians to get behind the campaign.
“Our servicemen and women have already given up so much for our country; the least we can do is help them through their transition into civilian life. Since 2012, Bravery Trust has distributed more than AUD 8.4 million in direct payments to veterans and successfully negotiated more than AUD 1.1 million in debt to be waived for clients," he said.
“This is made possible with the support of our partners like Coles and the generosity of their customers. Our partnership is more than just about raising funds. We are also encouraging Australians to start a conversation about veterans and finances by hosting an Anzac biscuit morning tea.”
The new report revealed:
- Demand from Australian Defence Force (ADF) current and ex-serving personnel seeking financial support and education from Bravery Trust increased by 77 percent over the past two years, with a six-fold increase in veterans seeking financial counselling since 2023.
- 55 percent of Bravery Trust’s beneficiaries are supporting children, meaning their support provides a safety net for the entire family unit, not just the individual.
- More than a quarter of veterans supported by Bravery Trust are battling both mental and physical health issues simultaneously.
- Before seeing Bravery Trust, only 20 percent of veterans had a household budget, with 94 percent having one after seeking help. The top requests for help from Aussie veterans were rent and bond assistance, relocation, motor vehicle expenses, and essential utility bills.
Coles Business Category Manager, Bakery, and current serving Army Reserve member, Rory McDonald, said Coles was honoured to continue backing Bravery Trust and Australian veterans.
“At Coles, we have a proud history with the veteran community, dating back to our founder GJ Coles and his brothers’ involvement in the Great War,” he said.
“More recently, we’ve raised more than AUD 6.4 million for Bravery Trust to support veterans doing it tough. However, the need is ongoing, and we hope our customers can continue to help make a difference by supporting this year’s Bravery Trust appeal.”
More global news here
