Irish Red Cross Appealing For Kildare Volunteers

Tuesday, 4 January 2022 15:50

File image: Irish Red Cross logo via @IrishRedCross/Twitter

The society saw a 7,500% increase in demand since the pandemic was declared

The Irish Red Cross is appealing for volunteers in Co. Kildare.

There are currently 90 volunteers in the county.

The society notes "demand for at-home visits in support of the elderly as well as isolated and vulnerable households - especially in rural areas - has increased from just a few hundred visits per year to over 15,000 visits during this period".

The charity also saw a large increase in demands on its National Ambulance Service with units.

The Irish Red cross made almost "1,000 patient transfers since March 2020 for non-emergency treatments like chemotherapy or dialysis appointments as well as GP or dental appointments for older people."

"As we head into 2022, the Irish Red Cross expect an excess of 268,000 volunteer hours to have been spent on essential community support work since the start of the pandemic."

Volunteers would communicating with elderly service users in remote areas by phone or video call, deliver essential supplies - like food, medication, heating supplies & the collection of medicines, to name a few.

Head of Fundraising with the Irish Red Cross, Charles Lamson, joined Ciara Noble on Tuesday afternoon's 'Kildare Focus':

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