These three incredible Aussie charities spread themselves across regional and remote locations in order to support those in need.
From all corners of the country, from rural towns to major cities, volunteers are making change and doing their bit for a better tomorrow.
A Little Wings pilot on the job.
Little Wings
Little Wings is a not-for-profit organisation helping families with sick children in regional NSW, ACT and QLD by providing free ongoing flight and ground transport during treatment. The charity acknowledges that sick children living in rural areas often have to travel long distances to access specialised medical services. It strives to ease the financial burden and emotional weight of this travel by accommodating simple and free travel for families to and from medical facilities.
Little Wings started by flying children to undergo cancer treatment at The Children’s Hospital in Sydney, and have since expanded to help other sick kids receiving treatment in five more major locations. Between 2021-22, it supported 2061 missions, and its planes have flown more than 5 million kilometres since the charity’s establishment in 2012.
Bringing children home after treatment means they can spend time with family and friends, which is an important factor in maintaining good mental health. Reducing travel time can also help families to balance other commitments and focus on what matters most. However, Little Wings acknowledges that not all families can travel interstate. The Medical Wings program sends healthcare professionals to regional locations to staff pop-up clinics for those who need to remain where they are. In 2022, it facilitated 129 clinics across New South Wales and supported 3,200 families
300 Blankets © Kit Edwards Photography
300 Blankets
On any given night, there are around 122,494 people sleeping rough in Australia. 300 Blankets is a charity supporting those experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in Victoria.
Since 2015, 300 Blankets has been organising Outreach Programs, where groups engage with individuals sleeping rough in Melbourne’s CBD twice a week, offering friendship and support to combat the impacts of social isolation on homeless individuals. Every Sunday, the not-for-profit hosts a soup kitchen, staffed by a dedicated team of volunteers who prepare and share nutritious meals with anyone struggling to make ends meet, including individuals and families.
Throughout all of its services, 300 Blankets makes it a priority to distribute warm and clean blankets to those in need. It also travels to companies, schools and community groups to develop a greater understanding of homelessness, its causes and associated issues through presentations and volunteer programs. 300 Blankets teaches communities about homelessness and reduces stigma to encourage more support for those in need.
© Vets for Compassion
Vets for Compassion
Vets for Compassion is a 100 per cent volunteer-run group working to improve animal welfare in Australia. The team consists of veterinarians, wildlife darters and wildlife rescuers who respond to urgent calls for help at any time of the day or night. This can include anything from life-saving surgery, rescue, rehabilitation or re-homing.
The team undertakes a number of year-round projects, with some of the most prominent being; the humane capture, treatment and release of wildlife including kangaroos and stray dogs, transportation of wildlife to clinics and shelters, performing emergency surgery on injured animals, and supporting relocation and rehabilitation of wildlife after bushfires, floods and disease outbreaks.
Last year, Vets for Compassion responded to 1981 callouts. On the website, you can find useful information about what to do if you come across an injured animal, or if you simply want to support the wildlife in your area. On any given week, the team will receive between 20-50 callouts and clinic visit requests, travelling thousands of kilometres to help sick and injured animals.
To read about three more Aussie charities deserving of your attention, click here.