Red Cross offers to call

The Red Cross Central Coast regional office has suggested that older Peninsula residents living alone register for its Telecross service.

Telecross is a free service, which is under-utilised on the Peninsula, providing a daily telephone call to elderly or isolated people who live alone.

Co-ordinator Ms Amber Edwards said that currently only 45 residents on the Peninsula were receiving Telecross services.

"We've been very fortunate to have not had any incidences on the Peninsula but we have had some in other areas of the Coast where Telecross has helped," Ms Edwards said.

"The service is available to the Peninsula residents 365 days a year and getting more Peninsula volunteers would be great as the service would not run without the efforts of our wonderful volunteers."

Currently, Red Cross is helped by 25 Peninsula residents who volunteer their time.

"It's very rewarding and the commitment is only a quick phone call in the morning but many of our Telecross volunteers also volunteer in some of our other services, like Hands On Care, which also runs on the Peninsula," Ms Edwards said.

Every morning, elderly and housebound clients are contacted by trained volunteers with a reassuring daily phone call to check that they are "safe and well".

Following the recent discovery of a Sydney resident months after his death, Australian Red Cross secretary -general Mr Robert Tickner said it was very upsetting to hear an elderly person had died alone and no one knew about it for months.

"A simple phone call could have meant this tragedy was avoided, or at least discovered sooner," Mr Tickner said.

People interested in joining the Telecross service or becoming a volunteer can telephone the local Red Cross office on 4324 3411 or visit www.redcross.org.au.

Press release, 10-11 Jan 2008 Amber Edwards, Red Cross Central Coast Regional Office