BBC's John Simpson helps Red Cross raise £20,000

BBC world affairs editor John Simpson CBE was guest of honour at a dinner in Surrey that raised more than £20,000 for the British Red Cross. 

He gave a speech at the end of a successful evening at the RAC Club in Epsom during which ticket sales and a raffle raised money to help vulnerable people in crisis overseas and locally.

Huge respect

John Simpson said: “I have been a journalist for some 40 years and the Red Cross is always the organization that’s first on the scene of any disaster or emergency. I have huge respect and admiration for the volunteers of the Red Cross and over the years I have seen for myself their tireless work. The organisation has a superb reputation and deservedly.

“I am always a bit humbled when I see what the volunteers do, giving up their free time to help their fellow human beings. Of course I jumped to speak at the Surrey fundraising summer dinner and I’m glad that we raised a fantastic amount of money for the organisation."

Lady Angela Lamport, British Red Cross Trustee and host of the dinner, said: “We were privileged to welcome John Simpson tonight. His knowledge and understanding of the crises and catastrophes in which the Red Cross constantly operates is without equal.  It was a great and very special evening, which raised an amazing £20,000.”

Prestigious guests

A total of 175 guests attended the event including the chief executive of the British Red Cross Sir Nicholas Young, the high sheriff of Surrey, Sally Varah, and the Red Cross operations director for Surrey, Mike Boocock.

The Red Cross summer dinner is one of the biggest and most prestigious events of the year in Surrey and last year welcomed Sir Terry Waite. Brewin Dolphin sponsored the event this year.

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