This is the 50th year of the event, the one weekend a year that volunteers doorknock to raise funds for the services provided by the Salvos.

The Salvation Army helps one million Australians every year, and local corps officer Lieutenant Darryn Lloyd said there is a strong need for these services in Cessnock.

“There are around 60 families a week doing it hard [in Cessnock],” he said.

The Salvation Army in Cessnock helps to provide food, accommodation for the homeless, drug and alcohol counselling and a whole range of support services.

Lt. Lloyd said that Cessnock is a disadvantaged area and many of the people in need are sole parents, unemployed and women leaving violent relationships who have nowhere to go.

“The sad fact is that there are homeless people living in Cessnock and there’s no way that we can help them all,” he said.

This is why Lt. Lloyd said the Salvos are calling on volunteers to ‘give a mate a hand.’

“There’s people out there struggling and they need help.”

Although the amount of volunteers who offered to doorknock last year were a little lower than expected, Lt. Lloyd said he has been impressed by how much the Cessnock community can give.

He said last year a child gave his entire money box, and while it may have only equated to around $6, it is about giving from what you have.

Lt. Lloyd said anyone and everyone can help out with the appeal.

“We’re looking for volunteers who are fit and able to knock on a few doors, and even if they’re not we can find a place for them,” he said.

Volunteers are only asked to give around two hours effort over the entire weekend, and times can be decided upon by the individuals.

They will also be given an allocated area, generally close to their house, as well as formal identification and a receipt book.

“And at the end I’ll even give you a nice cup of tea,” Lt. Lloyd said.

People wanting to get involved can contact the Cessnock Corps at cessnock. corps@aue.salvationarmy.org or call 4991 2063.