South Sydney Rabbitoh’s Josh Mansour signs up as a Red Cross ambassador

Josh Mansour supported Red Cross to raise hundreds of thousands dollars for its Beirut Explosion Appeal last year that helped Lebanese Red Cross provide critical emergency relief and local support for long-term recovery.

“When I saw the work Red Cross was doing on the ground in Beirut, it really touched my heart and I wanted to help as much as I could.

“I’ve also been helping with one of Australian Red Cross’ migrant youth programs, which helps newly arrived kids from all over the world get settled into their new home when they arrive in Australia. I just wanted to bring smiles to those kid’s faces and I wanted to teach them about Rugby League.

“I believe that in this modern day, it’s extremely important to embrace all cultures, and Red Cross is a completely neutral and trustworthy global movement and I’m proud to now be an ambassador,” he said.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Australian Red Cross has called on its volunteers more than at any other time since WW2. And globally in 2020 alone, the Red Cross movement has helped an estimated one in 12 people - from providing correct public health information to psychosocial support to those self- isolating in hotel quarantine.

Red Cross Director of Engagement and Support Belinda Dimovski thanked the star winger for lending his profile to the humanitarian movement.

“We are thrilled to see Josh Mansour - a great rugby league international - on our team on World Red Cross Day, which celebrates the contributions of 12 million Red Cross volunteers in 192 countries.

“We look forward to working with Josh to help motivate Australians to take humanitarian action, whether that be volunteering locally or making a donation to respond to local and international crisis,” she said.

Ms Dimovski also urged Australians to take a moment to think about supporting the work of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in the Asia Pacific Region battling the tragic surge in Covid crises.

“We are raising funds to support teams across the region scale up their emergency activities in response to the worsening crisis, and continue our vital services for people in high-risk groups in Australia,” she said.

Donations can be made at redcross.org.au.

For media queries or interview requests, contact media@redcross.org.au or 1800 733 443.