Sure helps keep volunteers on call

Local WRVS Emergency Team volunteers now have a Sure-fire way of staying in touch while on call, day or night.

Sure has donated a mobile phone with unlimited credit so that the volunteers can be called upon if ever there is an emergency. 

The WRVS Emergency Team provides back-up in the event of a major incident, where volunteers will prepare refreshments for the other emergency services, e.g. the police, fire brigade etc. at the site of the incident. 

WRVS team leader Cherry Armitage said that she has two deputies and the dedicated phone would be carried by one of them at all times which would ensure they were able to provide a rapid response to any emergency.

 “There are about 36 Emergency Team volunteers, both men and women on the call out list, and in the event of a major emergency the police need to get hold of one of us quickly,” she said

“Now that we have a dedicated phone, the on call volunteer will be contactable on the same number, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The duty officer, using the ‘phone, will then be able to organise a rota from the list of volunteers, to attend the scene, thanks to the unlimited free credit which Sure has so kindly given us.” 

The WRVS operates 2 day centres in Guernsey, one at the headquarters in Jubilee House and the other at The Russels in the gounds of Les Cotils, as well as running the Meals on Wheels initiative which delivers hot meals to elderly islanders at home.

In addition, WRVS members run Darby and Joan Clubs, trolley shops, and also help the hospital by calling blood donors to attend the blood transfusion service.  In total there are about 500 volunteers.

Hamish Kiernan, head of retail for Sure, said that the WRVS provided great support to the community, and the company was therefore pleased to be helping them.

“You often see the WRVS volunteers out and about in their cars, but perhaps not everyone realises what a fantastic service they provide to the community.  A lot of it is done behind the scenes but there are a great many islanders who rely on them.  We are very glad that we are able to help, particularly in view of the fact that they will be celebrating their 60th birthday next year.” he said.