Irish Red Cross volunteers, including those in Irish Red Cross branches across County Cork, give one million minutes of their time every month helping people and communities across Ireland, from responding to medical emergencies to supporting communities affected by storms, flooding and other crises. Now, as Ireland enters the winter storm season, the Irish Red Cross is calling on the public to help strengthen that vital volunteer network through A Million Minutes, a new national fundraising and awareness campaign.
This month, on 25th October the clocks go back and people in Ireland will gain an extra hour. ‘A Million Minutes’ campaign is asking people across the country to give back their hour by taking the Irish Red Cross 1 hour challenge – Walk, Run, Hike, Cycle, Dance, Play, Learn – and raise vital funds for the Irish Red Cross.
HAVE TO BE READY TO RESPOND
With extreme weather and other emergencies placing increasing demands on communities, funds raised through A Million Minutes will help strengthen the capacity and capability of Irish Red Cross volunteers and branches nationwide, ensuring they are equipped and ready to respond when people need them most.
“Crises don’t wait until we’re ready,” Deirdre Garvey, Secretary General, Irish Red Cross, said. “The Irish Red Cross is focussed on preparing for emergencies – be it a severe storm, flooding, a fire or pandemic – responding when needed and helping communities in Ireland recover stronger.
“The Irish Red Cross is preparing by upskilling our volunteers and increasing the capacity of our branch network. With the support of the Irish public and Irish businesses we can do even more. We are inviting everyone to take the Irish Red Cross 1 hour challenge – be that a sponsored run, walk, cycle, swim – and help us raise ‘A Million Minutes’ – essentially help us buy more vital preparation time – to train our volunteers, maintain and upgrade their equipment, and make our branch network even stronger, and better able to respond to their communities in times of crisis.”
Irish Red Cross volunteers support stronger communities in Ireland in a wide variety of ways, and are now calling for public’s support – visit www.amillionminutes.com to kick-start your 1 hour challenge or to make a donation.
