Volunteer Richard’s New Year honour

Red Cross work during pandemic is recognised

Getting this award makes me realise that my efforts were appreciated and that I did help to make a difference Richard Stibbles

A British Red Cross volunteer from Perth has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2021 New Year Honours list for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Richard Stibbles (40), an ambulance crew volunteer, left home at the start of the pandemic to do three deployments in London working 10-hour days transporting patients with COVID-19 to hospital, care homes or back to their families.

Richard was just 10 when he first became a Red Cross volunteer.

He explained: “A Red Cross volunteer came to my school to do a talk and demonstration. I went in the ambulance and was shown how to do resuscitation on a mannequin. I signed up there and then.”

Despite 30 years of volunteering, Richard was shocked when he learned he was receiving an award.

“I’ve been dying to tell people,” he said. “I’ve told my mum to check the news today, but I didn’t tell her why.

“She’ll be so incredibly proud. She thinks that caring is in-built in me. Even from a young age if anyone was sick she says I wanted to look after them.”

Richard admitted he was hesitant to volunteer at the start of the pandemic.

“Not because I was scared or didn’t want to,” he said. “But because I didn’t think I’d be of any use - that there were better people already stepping up.

“Getting this award though makes me realise that my efforts were appreciated and that I did help to make a difference.”

British Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson remarked: “Richard is a shining example of the exemplary staff and volunteers we are lucky to have to support the vital work of the Red Cross. He is a true humanitarian and works tirelessly to support vulnerable people when they need it most, especially during the past year.

“We are profoundly fortunate to have him in the team. He is a true ambassador for the Red Cross, exhibiting daily and genuinely the values of inclusivity, compassion, courage, and dynamism.

“We are delighted to see him honoured in this way. I would like to pass on my congratulations on this well-deserved honour and thank Richard for his continued passion for helping to make a difference.”