21st July 2010

DORCHESTER: Red Cross to the rescue

The British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Service, delivered in association with Dorset Fire and Rescue, aims to provide practical and emotional support to those affected by fire or flood.

The service is delivered by specially trained Red Cross volunteers and offers food, clothing, toiletries, access to a telephone, help with looking after children and pets, and shelter in the specially adapted fire and emergency support vehicle.

These same volunteers can also provide emotional support, information and advice on finding temporary accommodation, and assistance in producing an inventory of lost or damaged items. The service is free to the people receiving it, all costs being met by voluntary contributions to the Red Cross.

Since its launch in March of this year, this service has already helped more than eight families across Dorset.

One of the organisations who have helped with the funding of this much needed vehicle is the ladies of Dorchester Moose, who handed over a cheque for £240 in May.

The money was raised by holding a tombola and lucky dip at events such as Dorchester’s Christmas Cracker, along with a stall on Weymouth sea front.

As a reward for their donation, the ladies were shown around the vehicle before one of their Wednesday evening meetings.

Moose member Debbie Smith said: “The vehicle is packed with everything you could possibly want during an emergency, including food such as tins of beans and pot noodles, and shoes and clothing in all sizes.

“We have decided this is such a worthwhile cause we shall continue to support them over the next twelve months.”

PICTURE: MOOSE with the Fire and Emergency Support Service vehicle