Legacy Australia is now $100,000 better placed to help the families of Australian defence service men and women after Australia Post donated the funds raised from recent sales associated with the WWI commemorations.

Australia Post and Legacy Australia, who both share a long history in serving the community, formed a partnership earlier this year to commemorate WWI and remember the commitment and sacrifice made by our Australian service men and women.

Christine Corbett, Executive General Manager for Postal Services, said a $1 donation from sales of selected products across their 2015 Australia Post Australian Legends Award (which featured Dan Keighran VC, alongside four of his fellow Australian VC recipients) and Sands of Gallipoli range had helped to raise the funds.

“We joined forces with Legacy Australia to not only honour the contributions of past service men and women, but more importantly to support the families of our current and future Australian defence people who are experiencing financial or emotional difficulties.”

Legacy provides care at no cost to Australian defence service families including approximately 90,000 widows and 1,800 children and disabled dependants. These families rely on Legacy for emotional and financial support in the aftermath of devastating circumstances

David Gray, Chairman, Legacy Australia said she was delighted to join forces with Australia Post for the 2015 Australia Post Australian Legends Award and Sands of Gallipoli range which proved to be a fitting tribute to some of Australia’s most highly decorated soldiers, particularly during the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli.

“It is our hope that these stamp series raised awareness of the enduring sacrifices made by Australia’s service men and women, and their families, and the role Legacy plays to offer support to these families in times of need,” he said.

“The funds raised by Australia Post will be channelled into Legacy’s Florance Foundation program which provides an opportunity for up to 12 Legacy teenagers to visit Canberra each year culminating in the attendance at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial.

“The program gives these young people the opportunity to discover that their own personal experiences are mirrored by others and that the sacrifices made by their families are acknowledged and not forgotten,” he continued.