22/08 RED CROSS INVITES LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO APPLY FOR FLOOD APPEAL MONEY

RED CROSS INVITES LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO APPLY FOR FLOOD APPEAL MONEY FOR
COMMUNITY LED RECOVERY EFFORTS

Red Cross National Floods Appeal reaches £2.8 million

The British Red Cross today, 20 August, announced the distribution
criteria for monies raised by the Red Cross National Flood Appeal, and
invited local authorities to apply on behalf of local charities.

Funds will be allocated on the basis of the scale and severity of the
flooding suffered in a particular area. The distribution will be based
on the number of homes that have been affected. Applicants will need to
demonstrate how the money will benefit those most in need. The criteria
were reached following consultation with local authorities in the
affected areas and the Department for Communities and Local Government and
the Local Government Association.

Margaret Lally, head of UK service development at the Red Cross, said:
"We aim to enable local groups to help those most in need recover from
these devastating floods. We will work in partnership with local
authorities and through them local charities. This will ensure that the
decisions about how these funds are used are taken by those who best
understand the needs of people in the affected areas."

The criteria were agreed by the National Floods Appeal Advisory Panel.
The panel is made up of Red Cross branch Presidents from the affected
areas and a number of independent experts. It is chaired by Sir Stephen
Lamport, group director for public policy and government affairs at the
Royal Bank of Scotland. Also on the panel are Simon Lewis, of the
Vodafone Group Foundation, and Clare Thomas from the City Bridge Trust.

Sir Stephen said: "The public have been immensely generous and it is
now our role to ensure that this money is used fairly and goes to those
who need it most. It is important that this happens quickly and in a
transparent way."

The National Floods Appeal has now raised £2.8m. It was launched to
help people most in need to rebuild their lives after the devastating
floods. The Red Cross has a special role to play in supporting the
statutory and emergency services in Britain in times of crisis.

Information about applications to the National Floods Appeal can be
found at www.redcross.org.uk/floods

14/08 The British Red Cross to cover every Tesco store

The British Red Cross has been given a fantastic opportunity to raise
money for its services in our local community - they have been invited by
Tesco to collect in every one of its stores on 28 and 29 September
2007.

To cover every Tesco store and thereby maximise the amount raised for
the Red Cross, they need a lot of volunteers. It would be brilliant if
readers would like to join us - all we are asking for is a minimum
commitment of 2 hours, and we will try to match you to your nearest Tesco
store.

As Tesco Charity of the Year, the British Red Cross is raising money
under the partnership theme of 'Crisis care in your neighbourhood'. All
the money raised will be spent locally on crucial British Red Cross
services.

Interested readers can sign-up or find out more by calling Mel on 0117
301 2636 or emailing mball@redcross.org.uk

24/07 What should flood victims do next?

What should flood victims do next? click