It's the telephone call that could save a life.
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For years, two Wagga women have tirelessly picked up the phone to check in with elderly members of the community to ease their loneliness and make sure they are in good health.
Wilma Arnold and Bev Amery run the Telecross service in the Murray-Riverina 365 days a year to connect with people who live alone and are at risk of an accident or illness that may go unnoticed.
"I have been with Telecross for 20 years and Red Cross about 29," Ms Amery said.
"A lot of the aged people do not get to speak with anyone, and it is lovely to speak with them first thing in the morning, and you get to know them. Sometimes it might be the only contact they would get all day, and sometimes it can save their life because we keep checking in on them."
Ms Arnold has been there since day one of Telecross in 1992.
"It is a worthwhile cause because there are some lonely people out there," she said. "We had one lady who was lying on the floor all night, and if it were not for our efforts, she would have been there even longer."
Ms Amery said when making morning calls, if volunteers cannot get through to the person, they initiate a system to follow-up.
The first point of call is the hospitals to see if they have been checked in, if that turns up no sign, then the volunteers will call the next of kin or key contact.
If that fails, Ms Amery said they would call the police and ask them to conduct a welfare check.
"We make sure that we track them down, we do not give up," she said.
Colin Winch, acting regional manager for Greater Western region, said the Telecross is an essential service that enables people to stay in their homes longer.
"The work that our volunteers do, go above and beyond," he said.
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"It is a free service for residents in the area, and people are encouraged to sign up.
"We are so grateful to have Wilma and Bev, and their dedication to the community is unreal."
Mr Winch said they always need more hands on deck, and it is a way to give back without needing to commit multiple hours in a week.
He added people could dedicate five minutes a day to make one call a morning from home or work, with a roster system of 30 days on then 30 off.
"Our volunteers do still make contact on Christmas Day and during holidays to make sure the elderly still have that contact which is fantastic," he said.
For more information about accessing Telecross as a client or becoming a volunteer, call Wagga Red Cross on 5963 2966 or go to www.redcross.org.au.