Big response to rallying call for more Red Cross volunteers (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Big response to rallying call for more Red Cross volunteers
7:00am Monday 18th March 2013 in News
By Julie Tickner, T&A Reporter
Mark Halliday from the British Red Cross with new volunteer Allen Bottomley, 71, at Idle Fire Station
A rallying call for more people to support those forced to leave home following disasters in West Yorkshire has been a massive success.
Double the number of volunteers needed offered their help following the British Red Cross appeal in the Telegraph & Argus last month.
The charity is well-known for its work overseas, but lesser known for its UK projects which include the Fire and Emergency Support Service (FESS).
Service co-ordinator Norman Brickley said some people had contacted the same day the article appeared.
He said six more people were originally needed to help fill the rota, but has now had 12 enquires.
He and lead volunteer Mark Halliday are delighted with the response.
Mr Halliday said all 12 were likely to be taken on and several have already been interviewed. He said: “Everyone said they were keen to do it and get volunteering to support the families that we help.
“The majority of reasons people signed up are just because they wanted to help people, just like myself.”
Allen Bottomley, 71, of Eccleshill, contacted the charity the day the article was published.
He said: “I saw the article and felt it was something that I might want to do. I volunteered to put something back.
“I told Norman that I’m 71-years-old and he said it wasn’t a problem providing I was reasonably healthy.”
The charity owns a mobile home which is based at Idle Fire Station and volunteers take it to the homes of people left homeless following a fire or flood. Former PCSO Christopher Stevens, who lives in Woodside, Bradford, said he was unaware that such a service existed.
The hotel chef said: “I’ve done six years as a PCSO so I’m into helping people and can understand how bad it is when people lose all their belongings and home.
“Just having someone to turn to is a big help. I’ve dealt with that sort of stuff in the police with burglaries and things like that.”
The 26-year-old, who is married with two children, added: “I’ve heard a lot about the British Red Cross, but I’d not really heard about what they do to help people here, it’s quite good. British Red Cross is worldwide and everybody knows they can look to them for help and advice.”
Visit redcross.org.uk or call (0113) 201 5244 to volunteer.
