Lifeline is a homegrown Aussie charity, kicked off by Reverend Dr. Sir Alan Walker back in 1963. He started it after a heart-wrenching call from a distressed man who tragically ended his life soon after. That call deeply affected him, and he vowed to ensure no Australian would ever feel so isolated and unsupported again. That’s how their 24/7 hotline, 13 11 14, came to be. Today, it’s a lifeline for many, with the call center handling over 1,800 calls every day.
Running Lifeline is no small feat. It depends on the hard work of more than 11,000 volunteers and thrives on the generous donations that flow into its numerous op shops and donation bins all over Australia.