Could you help if disaster strikes?

A NETWORK of volunteers is being created to help Leicestershire communities pull together when disaster strikes.

The British Red Cross and insurance firm Aviva devised the idea of community reserve volunteers after research showed communities want to help in times of need but don’t know how.

The British Red Cross responds to emergency situation from fires, flooding and terror attacks in the UK every day.

But while nine in ten people in Leicestershire said they would like to help in such circumstances, 64 per cent had no idea how to go about it.

Under the community reserve volunteers, people can sign up with the Red Cross to be called upon to help if there is an emergency in their community.

Jim Spriggs, senior emergency response officer for the British Red Cross in Leicestershire, said: “The British Red Cross responds to a UK emergency every four hours.

“Last year we faced a huge number of major emergencies like those in London and Manchester. They brought tragedy to so many people, but we witnessed remarkable acts of kindness and saw that people really want to give practical help when crisis hits.

“The findings of our report with Aviva show that despite this desire to help, people often don’t know how best to assist or worry they don’t have the right skills to get involved.

“By creating a national taskforce of community reserve volunteers we want to put local people at the heart of emergency response, to help communities rebuild and recover faster.

“Everyone has a role to play when disaster strikes, even the smallest act of kindness can make a huge difference. It’s quick and easy to sign up online community reserve volunteers, you don’t need specialist skills and we need your help now more than ever.”

To be a community reserve volunteer you don’t need specialist skills to make a difference and simple acts of kindness can make big difference. Any necessary training will be given at the scene of the crisis and you can confirm your availability when you are contacted.

To learn more about the British Red Cross’ Community Reserve Volunteer scheme with Aviva and how to sign up, visit: redcross.org.uk/reserves