• Cricket match bringing hope

deansimpson7
5 hours ago
2 min read

BY ANTHONY CASTLE

The highly anticipated Salvos Hope Cup returns to Gawler on Saturday 16 November, pairing the annual charity cricket match and family fun day in a powerful stand against homelessness.

Now in its fourth year, the charity cricket match between the Riverside All-Stars and Gawler Police isn’t just a game, but an important event for rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness across the region.

Raising funds to support vital services such as sleeping pods, emergency accommodation, food relief, and long-term housing solutions, the Hope Cup has become a crucial response to the housing crisis.

The Riverside Salvos, led by Major Darren Dwyer, Gawler’s Citizen of the Year, continue to open their doors daily, providing showers, meals, and critical support to the vulnerable.

The Salvation Army’s Social Justice Stocktake found that South Australia, like the rest of the nation, is experiencing a housing crisis, with around 7410 people experiencing homelessness in the state alone.

Not having a safe and secure home makes every part of life more difficult, and almost seven out of 10 South Australians participating in the report identified housing affordability and homelessness as an issue in their community.

This year’s goal is to raise $75,000, with a strong start of $28,000 already secured at the recent Gala Launch featuring cricket legend Ian Chappell.

The Hope Cup will be held on 16 November from 9.45am-4.30pm at Trinity College Oval, with a short church service at 9am.

Attractions include food, mini-golf, axe throwing, pedal go-carts, pedal ponies, historical vehicles, a petting zoo, face painting, stalls, and more. Gold coin donation at gate with all profits raised to support those sleeping rough.