Spirit of Tasmania I will display a huge banner from today to raise awareness of The Salvation Army's main annual fundraiser, The Red Shield Appeal.

The 25 foot long, red banner will be visible from the opposite side of the Mersey River while the ship is docked in Devonport, every second day, until the Appeal ends.

The Red Shield Appeal is an annual nationwide appeal to meet the budget needs for The Salvation Army's many community service programmes.

Captain Phil Shelton, Corps Officer for Devonport's Salvation Army, said the organisation would attempt to knock on every door in Devonport and Tasmania on the 28 th and 29 th of May.

" Spirit of Tasmania I is a great billboard for the Appeal," said Captain Shelton.

"Last year Tasmania raised $1,044,857 and we are asking the community to dig deep when the Salvation Army comes knocking to raise even more this year.

"It is important that Tasmanians support The Salvation Army so that we, in turn, can give back to local communities," he said.

-ends-

For further information contact:

Christina Koullas

Corporate Communications Coordinator

Spirit of Tasmania

Tel: 03 9206 6220 / 0438 393 898

czk@spiritoftasmania.com.au

Captain Phil Shelton

Corps Officer Devonport

Salvation Army

Tel: 6424 9211 / 0409 406 811