Mr Borge Rasmussen, a member of the Wollongong Seventh-day Adventist Church, was recently recognised for his work with homeless young people. Mr Rasmussen, who established the charity Care for Street Kids Australia, was nominated for the Wollongong Citizen of the Year Award and received a certificate for his outstanding contribution and community involvement in the city of Wollongong.

In addition, Mr Rasmussen received the Golden Key to Sydney Award before a crowd of 700 people at a ceremony held at Sydney Town Hall. At the ceremony Mr Rasmussen had the opportunity to meet several key and influential political figures and business people. He also received a number of generous donations and pledges, notably $500,000 from Mr James Packer and a new pantec truck from another generous donor, for his work with street kids. However, the awards, recognition, and generosity were still not finished. Mr Rasmussen was also nominated for Australian of the Year. He received a certificate of acknowledgement signed by Australian international cricketer, Mr Adam Gilchrist, Chair of the National Australia Day Council.

This is not the first time Mr Rasmussen has been recognised for his work with Care for Street Kids Australia. In the past, he has been featured in several newspapers, received congratulatory letters from politicians, and been the recipient of several local awards.

The mission of Care for Street Kids Australia is: To improve the well-being and self worth of alienated and excluded street children through unconditional support, whenever and wherever necessary, with the view to reconnecting them with the community.

Mr Rasmussen began the charity, which helps young homeless people and families across Wollongong, Shellharbour and Sydney, after he helped a young homeless man in 1992. From then on Mr Rasmussen and Care for Street Kids Australia have helped nearly 3000 young people.

We congratulate Mr Rasmussen on the recognition he has received and for his tireless work to help young people living on the streets.