Red Cross takes to water to reach most vulnerable
25 July 2007
For further information Jack Durrell or Heron Holloway
Contact number 020 7877 7043 / 7877 7520 or 07659 145 095 (out of hours)
Red Cross takes to water to reach most vulnerable
Today (Wednesday July 25), Red Cross emergency relief teams have taken two boats to distribute hygiene kits, containing toiletries and sanitary items, and bottled water to people who are still suffering the effects of flooding in Gloucester. The two boats, on deployment from the Red Cross in Scotland, are also being used to help the teams assess the needs of vulnerable people in the area, particularly isolated elderly people.
The Red Cross will be distributing 24 pallets of water using 4x4s vehicles in Gloucester and surrounding areas later today.
In Oxford, Red Cross volunteers have welcomed up to 100 more evacuees at the rest centre at Kassam Football Stadium in south Oxfordshire, with more expected imminently. T he team has been working round the clock since Sunday evening (22 July), offering practical and emotional support to those forced from their homes by flood water. The sudden increase in evacuees came at around midnight last night as 200 more homes in Oxford were evacuated.
So far the volunteers have been helping some of the most vulnerable evacuees, including elderly people forced to leave nearby care homes. Since last night evacuees have included children and toddlers, many who were wet up to the knees from their escape from their homes.
Said Carol McKay, Red Cross team leader: “Many people desperately need a change of shoes and socks as they are wet from the knees down – the Red Cross team is busy finding dry clothes to help them with their immediate practical needs.”
Carol continued: “We are still caring for many elderly people here, some of whom are confused and profoundly unsettled. Although there are diverse needs here, our volunteers are fully trained for any emergency and we will stay here to support vulnerable people for as long as we are needed.”
As well as working at the rest centres since the weekend, Red Cross emergency vehicle crews have been supporting the emergency services, helping evacuate people from their homes and responding to non-emergency 999 calls for Oxfordshire Ambulance Service.
Yesterday, the Red Cross launched the Red Cross National Floods Appeal. Money raised by the appeal will go to help communities in hardship rebuild their lives. The organmisation will work closely with affected communities, local, regional and UK government to ensure the money goes to those who have been hardest hit. The Fund will target vulnerable people most in need who have been affected by recent floods across the UK.
The Freemasons' Grand Charity donated £65,000 to the National Floods Appeal. Grahame Elliott, President of the Grand Charity said: "The terrible weather affecting large parts of the country has destroyed many homes. On behalf of the Freemasons who fund our activities, we wanted to support the important work of the Red Cross in helping people to cope with the impact and begin to get back on their feet."
To donate to the British Red Cross National Floods Appeal go to www.redcross.org.uk/floodsappeal or call 0845 054 7200
Donations can also be made by post to:
British Red Cross National Floods Appeal
FREEPOST RLSA – XLXK-SXKZ
London EC2Y 9AL
ENDS
Notes to editors
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies.
We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies
in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on
with their lives. | |
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