Strangers turning into secret Santas to provide aged care residents with Christmas cheer

It's a heartbreaking statistic: 40 per cent of Australians living in aged care will never get a visitor.

It's even tougher at Christmas, so an ambitious project, called Connect the 40%, is turning strangers into secret Santas.

Through it, members of the public can buy gifts for lonely residents, proving they're not forgotten.

If you want to get involved and spread some Christmas cheer, head to the Connect the 40% website.