For two million Australians, their pleas for financial help have been ignored by governments – but not the public.

Doxa from NSW has put a smile on pensioner Mary's face through adopting her.
"It's wonderful to be adopted at my age," Mary said.

Actress Paula Duncan said pensioners were the forgotten people.
"It's incredibly important for us to support our pensioners and the elderly who have contributed so much to the reason why this world is like it is now," Paula said. "I mean, they put in the hard innings."

Sam Kekovich said he has always advocated the pensioner cause.
"What message have I got?" he said. "More importantly, is what message have Canberra got?"

"I think it is disdainful and I think it is downright disrespectful the way we treat our wonderfully aged people who have built this society we live in."

Today Tonight has put the call out to help our pensioners. And while the government may be ignoring them – you are not.

An overwhelming response of giving and sharing is going on all around Australia, as ordinary people get behind our campaign and support needy pensioners.

Doxa said: "I'm a stranger to Mary and my heart has gone out to ever elderly person who has given their all to Australia."
"Mr Rudd, they deserve a fair go."

Mary said: "I think, Doxa that you are giving back some dignity to people, the way you are going about things and people are indebted to you."

"I would just like to finish by saying that I was reared by the words caring and sharing. And, Mr Rudd, you are NOT caring or sharing with any of us."

"So please, please, please, do something to help the oldies."

Businesses are lending a hand too, but as always seems to be the case, battlers are helping battlers. The challenge is out for big business to get on board.

Tonight, we are launching an Australian first – an easy way for both pensioners and potential helpers to meet. A new website has launched:

If you are a pensioner, press the 'control' button and click on the link. You will be asked to fill in some general details and what you need assistance with.
Alternatively, if you would like to adopt a pensioner you can fill in your details and where you can help.

You will be matched up with a pensioner in need in your local area and you are guaranteed no personal details will be given out.

Paul Versteege from the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association said: "The response here has been overwhelming, with people wanting to donate."
"The hits on our website have tripled within the space of a week. People are really getting into this campaign."

If you are time-poor and cannot adopt a pensioner, you can make a donation to the Combined Pensioners Superannuants Association, who will turn it into a food voucher – which won't affect the pensioner's taxation or pension payments.

"People are getting into this campaign and wanting to donate even the smallest amount and sometimes large amounts, it is really heart warming." Mr Versteege said.

"They're taking over from the government, which is letting pensioners down, and have done so for many years now."

"The community is taking over in its own way and it is prompting the government to act now."

Visit the Adopt-A-Pensioner website at:
http://adopt-a-pensioner.yourwebspace.com.au/

How to use: If you are a pensioner, click on the left and you will be asked to fill in some general details and what you need assistance with.
If you would like to adopt a pensioner, click on the right: fill in your details and where you can help. You will be matched up with a pensioner in need in your local area and you are guaranteed no personal details will be given out.'

PLEASE NOTE:
With the Adopt-A-Pensioner webpage you need an email account – pensioners and helpers alike. To sign up you need an email account. We are doing this so that personal info like addresses and contact details are not given out for obvious reasons. If you do not have an email account see a neighbour or your local library who will have internet access and will be happy to help in creating one. You only need the email address to get started and make initial contact. We recommend you intially meet in a public space to access if you are happy to form a friendship.