| Australian television's most famous faces have lined up behind Australian Red Cross in support of the annual March door knock appeal, Red Cross Calling, which kicks off on Friday 1st March 2002.
The appeal, which began in Melbourne in March 1950, is this year aiming for a target of $8.5 million to support more than 66 local services and programs provided by Australian Red Cross in communities across the country. Celebrities who have backed the campaign include 2001 Logie winners Jamie Durie and Georgie Parker along with the cast of 'All Saints'; the cast of the hit series 'The Secret Life of Us'; Blair McDonough, Carla Bonner, Ryan Moloney and Shane Connor from 'Neighbours'; John Wood and the cast from 'Blue Heelers'; Ada Nicodemou, Kate Ritchie, Susie Rugg and Stephanie Chaves-Jacobsen from 'Home and Away'; Red Symons; Rob Elliott and Sophie Falkiner from 'Wheel of Fortune' as well as Melissa Doyle and Chris Reason from Channel Seven's breakfast news program 'Sunrise'. 'The dedication of Australian Red Cross volunteers is inspirational,' says Georgie Parker who plays Nurse Terri Sullivan in the Seven Network's hit medical drama, 'All Saints'. 'It's easy to forget the people behind-the-scenes, like the volunteers who put in the hours, unpaid, to collect donations. When the volunteers knock on our doors during March, let's give what we can - we never know when our friends or families will need the support of Australian Red Cross,' she said. As well as being able to make a secure on-line donation to Red Cross Calling at www.redcross.org.au for the first time, visitors to the site will also be able to send an official Australian Red Cross celebrity eCard from their favourite program!! In 2001 81,759 unpaid volunteers collected a record $7,150,000 during March - a fantastic 23.49% increase over the previous year. | 
