Pictured: Sydney Community Care Van volunteer Frank Zipfinger on Monday night distributing items to help the homeless cope with the heat.

Experts are warning that horror heatwave conditions will be felt across large parts of Australia today.

Parts of Sydney will swelter into the 40s on Wednesday, just a precursor of a 45C high to come on Friday.

The NSW Health Department has said it’s now the worst heat the state has experienced for a prolonged period since 2011, when a heatwave increased the mortality rate by 13 per cent and hospital admissions by 14 per cent.

Authorities across the state have urged people to hydrate, check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours and not to leave children or pets in hot cars.

The homeless are of course particularly vulnerable in these conditions and our Community Care Van Volunteers in Sydney and Parramatta are distributing sunhats, sunscreen and water to those sleeping rough.

The intention is for the Community Care Van project to expand to other areas, however ongoing funding is the primary obstacle.

Please consider a donation to assist the homeless during this heatwave: