Tackling the “harsh reality” that older women are the fastest-growing demographic for homelessness is among the IRT Group’s goals.
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Their IRT Foundation has launched its annual Neverland Ball fundraising campaign to raise awareness of the issues facing older Australians and support older people in need.
The three-month campaign will culminate with a masquerade Neverland Ball at UOW’s University Hall on September 1. You can also support the campaign by making a donation or bidding on their online auctions.
IRT Foundation manager Toby Dawson said the wider community wasn’t aware of the level of disadvantage older generations were facing.
“A lot of the media likes to promote the negative gearing implications of Baby Boomers and how their home ownership rates are robbing the younger generations of their right to own homes,” he said.
“But the harsh reality is that older women are the fastest-growing cohort of homelessness in the country.
“Older women are retiring with significantly less funds than their male counterparts.
“All it takes is one marriage separation or breakdown, and (some) older women are left with next to nothing.”
IRT Group chief executive Nieves Murray said in the past two years they’ve raised about $40,000 in funding support through the ball, with the money invested in foundation programs.
