Irish Red Cross calls on Mayo to back new fund-raising campaign

Irish Red Cross volunteers, including those across Mayo, 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 Mayo public to help strengthen that vital volunteer network through A Million Minutes, a new national fundraising and awareness campaign launching today.

On October 25 the clocks go back and people in Ireland will gain an extra hour. ‘A Million Minutes’ campaign is asking people across Mayo 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. Further information is available here.

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 in Mayo and nationwide, ensuring they are equipped and ready to respond when people need them most.

Deirdre Garvey, secretary general, Irish Red Cross, said: “Crises don’t wait until we’re ready. “The Irish Red Cross is focused 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 one hour challenge – be that a sponsored run, walk, cycle, or swim - and help us raise ‘A Million Minutes’ and 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, including:

Providing first aid cover at events and sporting occasions – enabling people to safely enjoy national events like the Dublin City Marathon (first aid cover provided by Irish Red Cross Dublin borough branches), to Electric Picnic (volunteers from 14 Irish Red Cross branches provided first aid cover in conjunction with Code Blue) to the Ballinrobe festival and Ballyconneely Agri Show, where first aid cover is facilitated by Irish Red Cross Claremorris branch.

Training community groups and school children in first aid – boosting lifesaving community skills – 250 school children were trained by the Irish Red Cross Dundalk branch.

Transferring patients with mobility or transport challenges to medical appointments, ensuring they can receive critical continuity of care – offered with care and compassion by Irish Red Cross Galway city branch and many other branches nationwide.

Carrying out door to door checks on vulnerable people isolated due to storms or flooding – bringing essential supplies but importantly human care and connection by branches in Mayo, Galway, Monaghan and Enniscorthy.

Running ‘community cafes’ to combat social isolation and foster connection and community cohesion – bringing people together in Carrickmacross, Waterford, Drogheda and Dundalk.

Offering Therapeutic Hand Care massages in community hospitals and nursing homes – easing painful joints but more crucially bringing conversation and connection by specially trained volunteers across Dublin, Cork and Donegal.

Supporting migrants and refugees to rebuild their lives through a range of initiatives including Integration Cafes and other social outlets.

To support these initiatives and to help give one million minutes back to the Irish Red Cross visit here.