Radio and TV presenter Ben Fordham turned impromptu chief spruiker at the Sydney launch of the Salvation Army's 2019 Red Shield Appeal, helping to raise more than $1 million.
Fordham jumped from the stage after a panel session with the Salvation Army's Major Beth Twivey, fellow TV presenter Joe Hildebrand and MC Georgie Gardner to cajole hundreds of thousands of dollars from an audience of more than 500 corporate leaders.
Fordham first hit on former QBE Insurance CEO and Red Shield Appeal Sydney chairman Frank O'Halloran, who offered up $225,000 of his own money to match the amount donated by the NSW government.
The 2GB drive presenter then continued to work the room raising laughs and money in equal amounts as the tally increased.
The national Red Shield Appeal's total target is $79 million to help the Salvos fund social programs which over the past year have supported 38,000 homeless people, 14,000 recovering addicts, 5000 experiencing family violence, and provided emergency relief to more than 150,000.
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But as Major Paul Moulds told the gathering the most important thing is that wrapped around every Salvation Army service "you will find hope".
The national public doorknock will be over the weekend of May 25-26 and aims to raise $8 million.
