Global Care has been performing disaster relief work around Australia for over 15 years, fulfilling its motto of "Mates Helping Mates".
Global Care, with some 70 local branches throughout Australia, is the social justice and disaster relief arm of International Network of Churches (formerly Christian Outreach Centre).
It helps people and communities recover and rebuild after natural disasters, while also supporting individuals going through everyday hardship.
Working through Empower Church Penrith in NSW, Global Care will assist with rebuilding and recovery operations throughout the current Blue Mountains bushfire disaster area.
Global Care's National Coordinator Sarah-Jane Meeson said she was surprised "disaster season" had come so early this year, but Global Care was ready to help wherever possible.
"Global Care has a strong record of helping victims of natural disasters. We were on site for two years after the Kinglake fires in Victoria, and assisted in Grantham after the QLD floods. More recently Global Care has performed relief work in the Bundaberg region after the floods and tornadoes of in February last year.
"It is heartbreaking for those who have lost their homes, and Global Care volunteers are ready to lend a comforting ear, and help in any other way they can they can with the available resources," she said.
Peter Kinsella, the Global Care Coordinator at Empower Church, said his congregation felt compelled to respond given the disaster was right "on their doorstep".
"We are not just watching this situation on the news - it's right outside our windows. At night we can see the glow, and during the day the ash is falling everywhere.
"We have had phone calls from many of our members in other International Network of Churches (INC) around Australia to ask what they can do and how they can help.
"We know we can't fix everything, but we'll do what we can and that might make all the difference to someone.
"It's amazing the confidence it gives to wear a 'blue army' Global Care t-shirt. To know the reputation and high regard in which Global Care is held is a real boost to our volunteers, and we are looking forward to getting out there in the field," he said.
Donations to the Global Care Disaster Relief Fund are gratefully received at www.globalcare.com.au (Become a Donor Mate)