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Community urged to 'Share Christmas' to help a child in need

14 November 2018

This festive season, Studio 10 co–host and The Smith Family ambassador Sarah Harris is urging the community to share their Christmas giving and help young Australians in need.

Launching The Smith Family's annual Christmas Appeal to help thousands of disadvantaged children with their schooling, Ms Harris – who has her own story of overcoming childhood poverty through education – said it was a key time to help families doing it tough.

“I know what it's like to miss out at Christmas and I also know the power of education to change young people's lives. For these children, knowing that someone out there cares enough to not only ensure they have something to open on Christmas Day but can access the support they need to thrive at school in the new year is the best present they could ask for,” Ms Harris said.

The Smith Family aims to raise $3.8 million nationally to assist more than 9,000 children with essential learning support and mentoring programs to help them catch up and keep up at school.

Donations will help children like Liam*, whose childhood started out like most others, but was turned upside down in Year 5 when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. The illness meant she couldn't work for many months and things became tough at home. Then, when his dad left, their lives fell apart.

Liam's mother did everything she could for him and his sister, but their home life had completely changed. Without a regular income, the family needed to move to more affordable housing. With barely enough money for rent, there was no money for schoolbooks or a uniform that fit.

“I used to love school and have great friends. Then Mum got sick and we had to move over and over again. I didn't feel good at school anymore,” Liam said.

The difference poverty made to Liam's life was particularly noticeable at Christmas – once a time for family celebration, it had become another reminder of their hardship.

This is why The Smith Family is also calling on the community to donate new toys and books for 25,000 children on its sponsorship program, which will be delivered with the help of hundreds of volunteers in the lead-up to Christmas.

“The Smith Family has its roots in Christmas giving and while the focus of our work has evolved to helping young people break the cycle of poverty through support for their education, we are proud to continue the tradition of delivering toys and books to children in need at Christmas,” Dr O'Brien said.

“I've seen firsthand over many years now the joy it brings to children who would otherwise be going without. We're thrilled that so many generous Australians continue to get behind this effort to share their Christmas giving and help these children look forward to a better new year.”

You can help a child like Liam through The Smith Family this Christmas by:

Making a donation to help a child keep up at school through vital learning support and mentoring programs, such as reading programs and after-school Learning Clubs.
Purchasing a toy or book through The Smith Family's online charity gift shop for a child in need.
Sponsoring a child to help them with their education over the long term.
Volunteering your time, skills and energy to support The Smith Family's work.

For more information, go to thesmithfamily.com.au/sharechristmas or call 1800 024 069.

* Name changed to protect privacy

Help us spread the word about our Christmas Appeal:

I'm helping @SmithFamily_org to #sharechristmas by donating to their Christmas Appeal. You can help too: http://bit.ly/TSF_appeal

Media Enquiries: Sheridan Cook, National Media Advisor | Mob: 0401 842 841 | Sheridan.Cook@thesmithfamily.com.au

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au