Helping Humanitarian Crisis with the British Red Cross

Leighton Parks Sixth Form charity group, AMICUS, welcomed the President of the British Red Cross Berkshire, Matt Tams, and Community Fundraising Manager for the British Red Cross, Annie Burton, on Friday 2nd February for their presentation on the history of the British Red Cross, what they do and how the students can get involved to help, in whole School Collect.

The focus of the Collect was the Humanitarian Crisis in the Middle East and how the Red Cross is helping within this conflict. The goal of the British Red Cross is to help anyone anywhere in need, their values are at the core of what they do and are key to achieving the goals they need. In light of this, Matt gave an overview of the conflict, the lives lost, the number of people displaced and how the Red Cross is supporting.

Leighton Park supported the Red Cross by donating two pounds each in return for non-Collect dress. The funds raised will allow the Red Cross to help with first aid, shelter, food and water and psychological help, all of which are severely needed during these devastating events.

The head of the AMICUS is Pablo Gorostidi Perez, who collected feedback from the Leighton Park community and shared his own thoughts on why these appeals creative a positive impact on pupils. “I have received very good feedback from students and staff who appreciated the impartiality and neutrality of the British Red Cross intervention. Students, in general, were impressed with the level of help that the BRC (together with the PCRS, the MDA and the ICRC) is currently providing in the area. As Matt Tams stated in his presentation, young people can play a key role in raising awareness and funds for their work. Our values as a school merge with those from the British Red Cross: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality. In LP we aim to develop internationally minded people ready to help create a better and more peaceful world. We hope that AMICUS, through the British Red Cross collect, has contributed to that effort”.