Most of us are aware that the Red Cross helps people in crisis all over the world. But what many of us don’t realize is that the British Red Cross helps more than one million people in the UK every year.
We are all used to seeing the Red Cross first aiders at events all over the country. We know that we can rely on them in the event of an emergency. In 2011 the British Red Cross provided 30,000 people with first aid at 9,000 public events across the United Kingdom.
The British Red Cross responded to 4,200 emergency call outs in the UK, ranging from fires and power cuts to bomb alerts. We know first hand how frightening it can be to be evacuated from a house in a flash flood. In the UK the Red Cross is always on hand to help victims of disasters.
We never imagined that we would be in the middle of a natural disaster but one fire and one flood evacuation have taught us that you never know when you are going to need some help!
Of course most of us never expect anything will happen to us – until it does! In July 2012 the Red Cross helped the residents of Sheepy Magna in Leicestershire after the nearby River Sence burst its banks. We can certainly understand how that experience impacted on their lives.
The British Red Cross played a huge part in the 2012 London Olympics. They teamed up with Network Rail to provide first aid services for London’s major rail stations during the Games.
Lesser known activities of the British Red cross include loaning out wheelchairs so that those in need can remain independent and supporting almost 400,000 people in the UK with health and social care services.
The British Red Cross also provides first aid training for many different needs. We never know when we may be able to help someone in need, and even save a life. First aid training is incredibly valuable for everyone.
You never know when you may be the one who needs the help. The British Red Cross will be there for you when you do.
But of course the British Red Cross needs help too. There are many ways to get involved and help the British Red Cross.
To find our more visit their website at British Red Cross, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.
This post was sponsored by the British Red Cross. Our opinion as always, is very much our own.