Chris Puckridge has been named WA finalist for Lifeline’s Mary Parsissons Outstanding Volunteer Award. Chris was nominated by fellow Lifeline WA volunteers for excellence in the volunteer field, leadership and for making an inspirational contribution to the community.

Chris has been a dedicated telephone crisis supporter since 2014, going over and above his weekly commitment to work shifts over public holidays, provide support and mentoring to other crisis supporters and volunteering to facilitate training for new crisis supporters.

Originally a stockman, Chris has worked in regional areas for many years before joining Lifeline WA. He brings this experience and unique knowledge to his volunteer role and has a strong empathy for people in regional areas and the issues they face.

“The training and support you receive at Lifeline gives you the strength to deal with people when they are often at the lowest point of their lives,” he said.

“I often listen to other crisis supporters on the phones and I am in awe of how they respond so calmly and professionally to people who can be in life or death situations or on the other hand sometimes people are just lonely and isolated and need to hear a kind and non-judgemental voice.”