Volunteer made MBE for service to the Red Cross
WOMAN HAD HELPED THOSE AFFECTED BY GRENFELL FIRE
A RED Cross volunteer who supported families bereaved in the Grenfell Tower fire has said she feels “overwhelmed” after being made an MBE for services to the charity.
Lady Angela Lamport, 67, has helped with the charity’s response to a number of national and international crises, in addition to Grenfell, since joining the organisation in 2003, the British Red Cross said.
Organisers have said they will not consider honours solely on the basis of involvement in the relief effort or the aftermath of the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy until the conclusion of the public inquiry, the second phase of which will start in January.
Lady Angela, from Cobham in Surrey, said: “I went out to Haiti after the earthquake where I saw the utter devastation and the work the Red Cross was doing to help rebuild livelihoods.
“I travelled to Libya on a Royal Naval frigate to help people who were being evacuated.
“That was totally unique and extraordinary, but the most heartrending experience was helping some of the bereaved families after the fire at Grenfell Tower. I still think of them every day.”
Grenfell residents in a silent march to remember those who died in the fire.
Now many are outraged because the committee set up to hold the council to account over it is being scrapped.
Lady Angela is a member of the British Red Cross Psychosocial Support Team and has also helped Britons fleeing conflicts or disasters in countries including Zimbabwe and Libya.
She added: “You realise that sometimes it is the small things that can make such a difference to someone at one of the lowest points in their lives. A kind word, a helping hand, a smile, a hug.
“It is at those moments one’s lives touch, and if by being there you can just make a little bit of difference to someone, it’s worth it in spades.”
She served on the Red Cross board of trustees from 2007 to 2013, before taking on the voluntary fundraising role of Red Cross president for London.
In 2010 Lady Angela helped set up the Tiffany Circle, which is a group of businesswomen who help to raise funds for the Red Cross and promote the charity.
British Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson said Lady Angela had “given many years of fantastic service” to the charity.
He added: “She is a true humanitarian and brings a special brand of warmth and empathy to bear in every situation.”