Michael White from Geoff King
with Sanctuary CEO, Peter Hallam

We wish to thank Geoff King for his support for Sanctuary’s humanitarian work, with the wonderful donation of a used Holden Rodeo truck. This will be enormously helpful in our ongoing work supporting refugees.

SAF is seeking a donation of a storage facility, where donated goods can be warehoused.

Geoff King’s website can be found here: http://www.geoffkingmotors.com.au/

Peter and Sue Hallam, founders of Sanctuary Australia Foundation.

Sue and Peter Hallam are honoured to receive the Order of Australia Medal for their work with refugees over 22 years, and would like to recognise the kindness and generosity of many in the wider Sanctuary community in welcoming and helping those who have lost so much as victims of war.

Refugees are settled through our network of 11 affiliated national centres, in both regional and metropolitan centres. Each Sanctuary organisation raises funds in their community to welcome a few approved refugee families, sponsored through the national Coffs Harbour office.

These “forgotten” refugees, mostly women and children, have spent years suffering in unsafe camps, without hope or future. It is a moment of great joy when they finally reach safety here, can eat regularly, and the children can go to school!

Sanctuary is a multi-award winning registered charity, working with integrity, ensuring that every dollar donated is used to help refugees on an interest-free loan basis, which is gradually repaid and ‘re-cycled’ to help others. We receive no Government funding, and rely on the generosity of the wider Australian community and business.

Without these regular donations,and ongoing support, Sanctuary Australia Foundation would not have been able to continue to expand this vital, lifesaving work across Australia. Thank you!

The Bodyshop Foundation supports innovative projects that are at the forefront of social change in the world.

Sanctuary was chosen from hundreds of charities for an international grant from The Bodyshop Foundation to support our vital work with refugees. The funding will go towards the Sanctuary Travel Loan fund, which provides interest-free airfare loans to those refugees who’ve been approved by the Australian Government.

For more information see:
Body Shop Foundation’s Website

Pianist David Helfgott with Ermias, who arrived recently from Kakuma Camp in N. Kenya.

The David Helfgott piano recital raised just under $10,000 which will go towards providing interest-free airfare loans for refugees sponsored by Sanctuary who have been approved to come to Australia. Actor Jack Thompson gave the opening address, with a plea for support for suffering refugees.

It was a wonderful event with refreshments and nibbles and an amazing piano recital by David. Both the Helfgotts and Jack Thompson were very enthused and offered to do another event next year to raise funds for Sanctuary’s work, helping victims of war.

David is pictured here with Ermias, from Eritrea who was sponsored by Sanctuary and has now been resettled in Armidale. He and his wife have only been in Australia a short time.

The Sanctuary Helfgott recital was a great success! xox!

David Helfgott has had an Oscar winning film made about his life called ‘Shine’ and has performed to sell out concerts all over the world. If you are interested in purchasing any of his music you can do so by visiting his website: http://www.davidhelfgott.com/catalogue/

Sanctuary plans to have many more concerts with wonderful performers supporting our work. If you are a musician or artist and would like to be part of a fundraiser for Sanctuary please contact us using our websites contact page.

Please read his inspiring story in a newspaper article written by Claire Simmonds: http://www.coffscoastindependent.com.au/news/local/news/general/lost-boy-finds-way-in-nursing/1867442.aspx?src=rss