British Red Cross to the Rescue
Report by Marybeth Riding, Kerry Cullington and Danielle McMahon
Picture: Dave Merry of the British Red Cross with Huyton Today reporters Marybeth Riding (centre), Danielle McMahon (right) and Kerry Cullington (rear)
On
Wednesday the 7th March, Dave Merry from the British Red Cross came in
to tell the Huyton Today team more about the role of the British
Red Cross.
The key aim of the BRC is to care for vulnerable people in crisis and it has done so for more than 125 years. Established during the Franco-Prussian war, its purpose remains to bring assistance to the sick and wounded in time of war.
The BRC still has a role in supporting the medical services of the armed forces, but it also provides assistance to people in need and crisis in peacetime.
Dave’s role is the Assistant Community Service Manager for the Fire Victim Support Service. This arm of the the BRC is designed to meet the needs of people who have suffered damage to their home following a fire, flood or similar incident.
This service is delivered by specially trained BRC volunteers who use an adapted vehicle to assist them in providing practical and emotional support to the victims of the incident.
Dave explained to us the purpose of the vehicle:“If someone has lost their home to a fire or flood, the Fire Brigade calls us out if it is out of hours (between 6pm and 6am). As you can imagine, at that time of night, there can be difficulties in contacting Social Services. This service was set up to look after people who have had a house fire and been made homeless as an emergency response to their needs.”
The Fire Victim Support Service has two vehicles on Merseyside and is manned by a team of 52 volunteers.
Funding
Money donated to the British Red Cross falls into two categories: restricted and unrestricted funds. Unrestricted funds can go to any area of the BRC. The BRC prefers general donations as the money can be used where it is needed most. Restricted funds can be given as aid to refugees in Africa or can be used to buy a particular piece of equipment. Legally, this money cannot be spent anywhere else.
The BRC has 300 charity shops around the UK which sell second hand goods and clothing.