The British Red Cross will cease to offer its first aid services at events and festivals across the UK at the end of March 2020, it has been announced.
Charity bosses have said that providing such services costs the Red Cross £1.8million a year, so will instead be focusing on crisis support and other elements of the charity’s operations.
The news, which was announced last Wednesday, will come as a devasting blow for the volunteers up and down the country who provide vital assistance at local, regional and national events.
In a statement, CEO Michael Adamson has said:
“In recent years, we have seen increasing pressures on both our income and the demands for our assistance, which means we must prioritise how we use every pound donated to us.
“The British Red Cross has a proud history of providing first aid at events and we are extremely grateful to all our passionate and committed volunteers and staff who have dedicated so much time and energy to providing a first-class service to our clients. Unfortunately, our work providing first aid at events has been running at a financial loss for some time – the service still requires £1.8 million of donations annually to cover the shortfall between income and costs – and this is diverting vital funds from our efforts to provide emergency support for major domestic and global crises.
“So, it is with real sadness that we have taken the very difficult decision to close our event first aid service by 31 March 2020. This is not a decision our trustees have taken lightly. We are acutely aware of the impact this will have on our valued British Red Cross staff and volunteers. We sincerely hope our volunteers will consider continuing their journey with us in other ways. We have also agreed a streamlined transfer process with St John Ambulance and St Andrew’s First Aid for those volunteers who wish to continue providing first aid at events with another organisation.
“Delivering first aid education and promoting first aid as a vital skill is still fundamental to the British Red Cross. Last year, we trained over 275,000 people in first aid and we will continue to provide first aid training for individuals, schools, communities and businesses.”
Article continues below this advertisement
Locally, the Isle of Wight division of St John Ambulance has reached out to those British Red Cross volunteers who now face life without their volunteering work.
In a short statement issued via Facebook, the group has said:
“To all our Isle of Wight Red Cross Colleagues. Firstly can we say how sorry we were to hear what must have been dreadful news for you. Like ourselves, you all have chosen to use your own time, free of charge, to support our Island Community. Whilst we are sure, everything must still be very raw and upsetting, we would like to offer our support and friendship to you all. Should you wish to continue to support our communities, then you will find a warm welcome from us awaiting you.
“Our small but very friendly unit is clinically led by paramedics, and a quick glance at our Facebook page will give you an insight into the varied training sessions we run and see if me of the events we cover both on the Island and further afield. Please feel free to contact us.”
It is unclear at this stage what the future holds for the local Emergency & Fire Support Unit, which supports homeowners and others affected by fire and other emergencies across the Isle of Wight.
‘Charity bosses’ ! ‘CEO’ ! Yeah right.
Perhaps if they didn’t spend so much time and effort in other countries then they would be here to support these events – no doubt attended by those making donations.
But no doubt will still be providing first aid to other countries who contribute nothing?