MORE than 200 passengers stranded by extreme weather at Glasgow Airport were supplied with bedding by the Red Cross early today (Tues).
Six staff and volunteers in two 4×4 vehicles laden with blankets fought their way past abandoned cars along the snowbound M8 to get to the airport. They had brought the bedding from a Red Cross store in the city.
Additional bedding was supplied by Tesco, who have a working partnership with the humanitarian organisation.
Peter McCarthy, Red Cross operations director for west central and south west Scotland, said: “The passengers at the airport faced an uncomfortable night and we did what we could to alleviate their discomfort.
“Our own supplies were supplemented by a donation of £200 worth of bedding from Tesco as part of a partnership we have with them. I am sure those stranded at the airport were as grateful to them as we were.”
Elsewhere in Scotland, Red Cross emergency response team were in action all day, supporting the Scottish Ambulance Service and local authorities as they dealt with crises caused by the snow and ice.
In Dundee, volunteers helped deliver meals on wheels to vulnerable people trapped in their homes by the extreme weather.
In Midlothian, Red Cross volunteers supported the council’s social work department by acting as “snowfriends” to housebound residents, delivering prescription medicines and checking their welfare.
In Glasgow, Northern Scotland and the Borders, volunteer crews with specially equipped Land Rovers and other 4×4 vehicles supported the ambulance service transporting patients to and from hospitals. They also ferried key medical personnel to and from work and helped district nurses reach their patients.
Peter McCarthy added: “Red Cross volunteers throughout Scotland have been doing their bit to get help to those who need it. Many of them have faced difficult and arduous conditions but their dedication has been greatly appreciated by those they have helped.”
ENDS
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by British Red Cross (Scotland). You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Derek Masterton
Phone: 0141 891 4016 or 07818 457589
Email: dmasterton@redcross.org.uk
Website: http://www.redcross.org.uk
