by Renee Wood
The Hoddles Creek Red Cross branch assists in a large portion of the Yarra Ranges so has chosen to be renamed Yarra Valley Red Cross in a bid to better reflect its wider coverage of the region and volunteers.
For some time, the Hoddles Creek group has been the only one operating after other branches folded and currently has 47 members who come from across the Yarra Ranges shire.
It’s hoped the new naming will now make it easier for others to join by strengthening the focus of a wider Yarra Valley representation.
Yarra Valley Branch Chairman Jennifer Seabrook said becoming the Yarra Valley Red Cross will let everybody know that it’s not limited to the Hoddles Creek area and all townships are welcome.
“Members come from all over the Yarra Valley and so it really just represented us better and it also represents where we do our fundraising activities because we do them all over the Yarra Valley,” Ms Seabrook said.
The group holds regular fundraisers such as holding a monthly stall at Launch Fresh and stalls at various markets and community events.
The volunteer run group often raises funds for the Red Cross and its various humanitarian projects, but also can delegate their own fundraising aims such as for Queensland and New South Wales flood appeals.
Members also participate in community awareness campaigns for things such as the Red Cross’ Get Prepared app, which informs users what to do in any form of an emergency.
“It’s really encouraging people to think about what type of emergency might affect them – it might be a flood, it might be a fire, it might be a tree falling on a house, but it might be that your partner is ill and you don’t drive and how are you going to get them to medical help,” Ms Seabrook said.
Volunteers in the emergency services division also assists in times of emergency such as the storms, house fires and lockdown food deliveries.
Anyone interested in becoming a member is encouraged to join.
“There’s lots of different ways that you can help by fundraising, by joining emergency services, by working in the Red Cross shop down in Croydon or being a volunteer at lifeblood in Lilydale.
“There’s a plethora of programs that somebody can get involved with.”
For more information visit the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Australian-Red-Cross-Yarra-Valley-Branch-257190581634903 or contact yv.redcross@gmail.com
Alternatively, meetings are held on the first Monday of every month at 1.30pm at the Yarra Junction Bowling Club.
