AT the first meeting of the year speaker Mr McCulagh, from British Red Cross, gave an interesting insight into the organisation’s work.

While all of us relate to their work in first aid, most of us would be unaware of the scope of their support to other emergency services.

For example if there is a major house fire, the Red Cross can provide a fully equipped caravan to be located immediately outside the destroyed home so families can stay together and carry on with their daily life.

When an emergency occurs, like the July bombings in London, the Red Cross were called to evacuate patients from hospitals in London to outlining hospitals so the casualties of the bombings could be treated at the nearest hospital.

The Red Cross is international, started by a Swiss businessman in 1859 devastated by the carnage caused by war, rallying the local population to become “first aiders”.

Members were then exposed to hands-on first aid – how to deal with heart failure, stroke and severe bleeding. A very clear demo was given by Mr McCulagh and his wife.

Members were given confidence that they could deal with similar situations that could make all the difference to the casualty.

Members will be celebrating the branch’s 91st anniversary with a birthday party in February.

Cookhill WI meets o the second Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm at Cookhill Village Hall. Two new members have joined already this year and a warm welcome is offered to anyone who would like to join.