Meet Ally Garner

Homeless and aged 15, Ally Garner had nothing but the clothes on her back when Red Cross first came into her life. Fast forward three years and Ally has successfully completed Year 12 while living independently in her own studio, and is looking forward to a future involving travel and work.

Last year, Red Cross supported more than 4,000 people who were either homeless or at risk of homelessness. The support Red Cross provides not only helps people to find housing but helps them build life skills or prevents people from becoming homeless in the first place.

Homelessness Programs

Red Cross supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Our programs help people to build their life skills and community connections. Our goal is to address the underlying issues that contributed to their housing problems.

Meet Milton Morris

Retired engineer and naval officer Milton Morris has absolutely no doubts about the value of receiving his daily call from Red Cross volunteers.

"It's saved my life twice now," the sprightly 86 year-old says. "It's absolutely essential to being able to live on my own at home."

Milton has been receiving daily phone calls for almost six years. Red Cross provides daily phone calls to check on the wellbeing of people who are at risk of an accident or illness that may go unnoticed.

Earlier this year, Milton collapsed at home. He was unconscious, and his daily Red Cross call went unanswered. The trained volunteer activated his agreed emergency procedure and arranged help. In Milton's case his neighbour was asked to check in and called an ambulance.

Every day Red Cross calls more than 5,000 Australians who live alone and are at risk of an accident or illness that could go unnoticed. The calls provide peace of mind, helping them to live independently in the familiar and comfortable surrounds of their own home.

In the past year Red Cross helped almost 800 people who were ill or injured and did not answer their daily call, in some cases it probably saved their lives.

Telecross

Red Cross provides free daily phone calls to check on the wellbeing of people who are at risk of an accident or illness that may go unnoticed. The calls provide reassurance as well as help to maintain independence. Friendly Red Cross volunteers make calls each morning 365 days a year. If the call is not answered, Red Cross takes action to make sure everything is okay.

Meet Sammeer Bajracharya

The Nepal earthquake tragedy has shown, once again, how vital it is to have trained emergency response teams, warehouses stocked with relief supplies, and well-considered evacuation plans and disaster drills. It makes a life-or-death difference when disaster strikes.

We were working with Nepal Red Cross months before the earthquake, to train local disaster response teams.

This meant that volunteers like Sammeer Bajracharya knew what to do. As soon as the tremors subsided, Sammeer was out helping his neighbours.

"There was a woman who was trapped in the rubble," he told us later. "One of her legs had been crushed by a falling building. We worked with the rescue teams and did our best to give her first aid, but unfortunately we couldn't save her."

Disaster Preparedness

Emergencies can strike anyone, anytime. Knowing what to do, where to go, who to talk to and what is important to you is the best way to be prepared. Preparing for an emergency means people and communities are in a better position to cope with an emergency and get back on their feet more quickly if one is to occur.