IT’S been one hundred years since Red Cross was first established in Australia.
Nine days after the outbreak of WW1 in 1914, Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, wife of Australia’s Governor General called on women across Australia to assist with the production of comfort parcels for soldiers.
Since those early war years, Red Cross in Australia has now grown to be at the forefront of people helping people.
March is Red Cross Calling month, and over the next few weeks Red Cross will be calling on all Australians to make an extra special effort this year to show their support for the work of Red Cross.
Red Cross is well known for its work in emergency relief and recovery, and for the highly respected Blood Service, but Red Cross also reconnects families torn apart by war, helps older Australians live independently in their own homes, assists people with mental illness, and ensures school kids get a healthy breakfast before they start their school day.
You don’t have to be a Red Cross member or a current volunteer to help with Red Cross Calling.
Just register as a Red Cross Calling fundraiser online, and you give something back to your local community by organising something as simple as a cake stall or sausage sizzle, maybe take a collection at your local shopping centre, or conduct a doorknock in the area around where you live.
To find out how to get involved with Red Cross Calling, or to simply make a donation to Red Cross go to the Red Cross Calling website at redcrosscalling.org.au or phone 1800 008 831.