When most people think of the Red Cross they think of the blood bank and its work during natural disasters, but it’s also there for elderly and isolated Australians.

Each day an army of volunteers pick up the phone to call and check on those living alone and new data shows the service made more than 1.1 million calls last year.

Red Cross Queensland director Garry Page tells Mark that increasingly the service is finding people want to have a longer chat and volunteers are only happy to lend a friendly ear.

If anyone would like to sign up for the service they can call on 1300 885 698 or go to redcross.org.au

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