Which organisation do you work for?
British Red Cross
What sort of voluntary work do you do, and where?
I'm part of what the Red Cross calls the Emergency Response Unit Team. We are a team of four people who come from all over the UK and we each have a specialisation, mine is logistics.
We only react to a war or disaster situation abroad and there's a team on standby 365 days a year. I most recently went out to the earthquake in Bamm, Iran, where I was called out with eight hours' warning.
How did you get started?
I literally sat down and decided, after retiring, that I wanted to do something useful. So I wrote off to some voluntary organisations and the Red Cross were the first to respond.
How long have you been a volunteer?
Three years.
Are there any special skills you need to be a volunteer?
The Red Cross have a group of people who have developed the necessary skills over a lifetime of experience, though you can also gain skills through the organisation.
I have an extensive knowledge of airports, seaports, warehousing and transport on a global basis as I've worked abroad so much. It's important to be able to work in a different country at a moment's notice.
Human relations is also a big part of it - it's important to be able to interact with people from all over the world, from all walks of life and from all levels. You work with everyone, from the guy who's digging the holes for you to your counterparts in other international organisations.
How many hours a week/month do you give?
When I'm on standby (for a month at a time, four or five times a year) I can't go anywhere. I have my case packed and I must be able to leave at a moment's notice. I was last away in Iran for three months, which was longer than usual for various reasons.
What are the best and worst things about being a volunteer?
The best thing is that you really feel that you're doing something worthwhile and that you're making a contribution to humanity. It's also great to be working with a huge team and to be meeting and working with people from all over the world.
The worst thing is hanging about, being on standby. You do see some very unpleasant sights, but you must learn to blank these out.
How can others get involved?
First of all, there has to be that inner willingness and drive. It's unusual for people to send off their CV as I did. You should just go along to the nearest outlet for an organisation - a shop or centre - and ask them what it's all about.
The British Red Cross also do a great job helping out with first aid in the UK. I received all my first aid training with the BRC - they offer training to anyone right from the beginning, young or old.
