The local business give their staff a salary sacrifice option which sees small amounts taken out of their monthly wages and put into a charitable donations fund. At the end of the year the company matches the fund dollar for dollar, before a staff committee decide which local organisations they wish to contribute to.

This year the company divvied up $9000, with $5000 going to the Tamworth Women’s and Children’s Refuge, while four more organisations around the region received $1000 each.

Alarmingly, every month the Tamworth Family Support Service run refuge recieves over 300 referrals from local police, every one of them relating to a victim or victims of domestic violence.

Forsyth’s principal Phil Bolton was only more than happy to cut a cheque for the service, and would like to see more companies following suit.

“Unfortunately we are all aware of the escalating need for these types of services so it was great to see the committee choose the Women’s Refuge,” Mr Bolton said.

“It is really important to give back to the community, and also remind people and businesses that there are disadvantaged people in the community that need support.” 

TFSS CEO Belinda Katris was “blown away” by the fact that the staff members chose to donate from their salaries, suggesting the gesture was much more than its monetary value.

“It is a public donation, not a grant or government fund. That can be very humbling to the people who need it – it shows them that there are people out there that care,” Mrs Katris said.

“The money will go towards keeping the rooms at the refuge fitted out and homely, as well as an outdoor children’s play area.” 

This is the second year Forsyths have run the charity program, with the other four $1000 donations going to the Westpac Chopper, the Armidale Neighbourhood Centre, Coonabarabran’s Cooinda Aged Care, and Gunnedah’s Gatepost Support Services.