***PHOTOS of ANZ highlights available HERE
The Rapid Relief Team (RRT) has marked International Volunteers Day today by looking back on its significant events across the globe during 2025, giving thanks to all those who make its work possible.
RRT Global General Manager Anthony Arkcoll said RRT volunteers across the globe have collectively given more than 75,000 hours of their time to helping the community so far this year.
“On International Volunteers Day, the Rapid Relief Team gives thanks to our volunteers because they are at the heart of what we do,” said Anthony.
“We rely on their can-do spirits and generosity. Whether it is a large-scale global operation or a local, grassroots event, our purpose is always to deliver care and compassion to the community, and our volunteers make it possible.”
This year RRT has done everything from distributing aid to war zones, supporting emergency services in natural disasters, and providing delicious food for community events, fundraisers, and local frontline workers.
RRT’s Global Highlights for 2025 include:
Ukraine
- RRT completed a three-year operation to deliver emergency food and personal care supplies, the equivalent of 14 million meals, to people displaced by the Ukraine war.
Gaza
- RRT partnered with the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) to provide two million meals to more than 68,500 people in Gaza.
Australia
- In response to Cyclone Alfred, RRT carried out a 12-day operation in Queensland and New South Wales, deploying sandbagging machines and providing thousands of meals to emergency crews and evacuated residents.
- RRT helped drought affected farmers in South Australia, holding three Farmers Community Connect events to distribute donated hay and livestock feed.
- RRT served 1,000 meals to State Emergency Services (SES) crews and the community during a major storm in the Hunter region.
New Zealand
- RRT held a Farmers Community Connect event to distribute livestock feed to drought affected farmers in Taranaki.
- Farmers Community Connect events were also held in Tapawera and Tararua to donate fencing packs to those who were rebuilding following damaging storms.
- RRT filled 850 sandbags for the Greymouth community during a damaging storm and floods in October.
North America
- In response to the LA wildfires, RRT served 7,500 meals and 1,200 frontline packs to the emergency responders.
- RRT served over 3,170 hot meals, distributed 1,196 family food boxes, and handed thousands of bottles of water to impacted communities across Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.
UK
- At hospitals across the UK, RRT launched its first ever A&E Appreciation Week by hosting over 100 events and celebrated International Nurses Day by serving 5,420 meals.
- RRT provided more than 44,000 free hot meals and welfare packs to Police Scotland officers deployed across the country during the high-profile visit by US President Donald Trump.
As the charitable arm of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, RRT supports frontline workers and emergency services by providing food, donations and other resources, as well as hosting events for the community.
Established in 2013 to assist emergency services in times of disaster and crisis by providing meals and other support, it’s expanded to more than 16,000 volunteers and provides support to the community through charitable donations and events.
For more information on RRT, please go to www.rrtglobal.org/.
Media enquiries: Katie Kimberley +61 417 467 215
