Soldier On Australia is set to launch its second annual Stronger Together campaign in the lead-up to Remembrance Day, 11 November 2019.

The 24-hour fundraising initiative in support of Australian contemporary veterans and their families, will kick off from 10am on Thursday 7 November and continue until 10am on Friday 8 November, when all public donations made to Soldier On will be matched by a host of the charity’s corporate partners.

The ambitious campaign aims to raise one million dollars in the lead-up to the day when the nation pauses to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. A highlight of the campaign includes a challenge to Australians to arm wrestle in a show of support of the country’s defence families.

The campaign calls on Australians everywhere – in public locations, workplaces and schools – to have a friendly arm wrestle, upload their photo to social media using the (hashtag) #StrongerTogether19 and make a donation via the Soldier On website. Their donation will be matched by one of the participating corporate partners, with a public acknowledgment of the joint donation.

Solider On Australia’s newly appointed CEO, Ivan Slavich, says the arm wrestling element of the campaign physically represents the notion of being stronger together.

“The arm wrestle element is fitting because we all – as a community – need to come together to ensure that our veterans and their families are adequately supported post-service.  They have made our country stronger and secure and they need us to show our support and come together so they’re stronger and connected”, he said.

Slavich said it’s no secret that many of servicemen and women – and in-turn their families – face significant and unique post-service struggles including difficulty finding work, post traumatic stress disorder and feelings of isolation.

“The suicide rate among Australian veterans is simply unacceptable,” he said.

Slavich continues that Soldier On knows what has to be done. They have built comprehensive programs relevant to help veterans and their families build better futures post their service. The challenge for the organisation now is to expand services across all areas of the nation where veterans are based, but find themselves without support. Ivan said this requires funding and the demonstrated support of every Australian.

“We need all Australians to give any funds that they can afford to help strengthen the reach of Soldier On’s support programs. Thanks to the generosity of our matchers, this campaign presents the ideal opportunity for Australians to show their gratitude to those who have fought in our nation’s defence, because every dollar donated will be doubled during the 24 hour campaign,” adds Slavich.

Soldier On is a not-for-profit veteran support organisation delivering a range of services to contemporary veterans and their family members. It is one of Australia’s national fully integrated and holistic support services provider for national service personnel and their families and Soldier On currently reaches more than one million Australian veterans and their families.

Soldier On’s services include a range of mental health and wellbeing, employment and transition, education and training programs, as well as programs and activities focused on connections with family, friends, and the broader community.

Last year, Solider On raised more than $600,000 with a host of celebrities, politicians, and media personalities – such as former Prime Minister John Howard, Network Seven personality Samantha Armytage and radio presenter Mick Molloy – lending their support and participating in friendly arm wrestles to raise awareness of the important work of Solider On Australia.