The Red Cross has launched an appeal for new members in its Galway City units.

Local Area Director of Units, Brian Madden said the Irish Red Cross in the county will be launching its new recruitment drive shortly.

However, the number of Irish Red Cross members in Portumna is growing, while the new Woodford branch has seen strong interest from schoolchildren.

In Gort, Claregalway and Athenry, several members of the Irish Red Cross have completed courses in caring in conjunction with the organisation Caring for Carers. The Irish Red Cross throughout Galway is also promoting Basic Life Support (BLS) courses to staff working in nursing homes. It is planned to set up a new branch in Athenry soon.

Over 100 events were provided during 2007, with First Aid services by the Irish Red Cross.

The Red Cross also benefited from the launch of several new ambulances nationally. One of these will serve Leenane, Co. Galway.

Speaking at a special ceremony in Galway to mark the second launch, Tony Lawlor of the Red Cross said that these new ambulances would "significantly enhance the ability of smaller communities to host events locally and to have confidence in swift and skilled First Aid services in their own areas.

"These new ambulances herald a new era in local development and this is thanks to the generous funding which the Minister has provided in line with the CL?R funding programme, targeting communities of special geographic or economic need."

Thanking Minister Éamon Ó Cuív for the €1.5 million funding, Mr Lawlor said that, with the help of CLÁR funding, the Red Cross had been able to get ambulances positioned in outlying or isolated areas to ensure that these communities had all kinds of cultural and sporting events safely.

"Moreover, these ambulances will also help us to ensure the delivery of the government's own disaster plan, should the need arise, in line with our role as laid down in the government's Framework for Major Emergency Management," he added.

Dominic Burke from Galway was one of 17 Red Cross members who were honoured at a special ceremony in November. He received a 25 Years Service Medal and has been a member of the Red Cross for 45 years.

A member of the Red Cross since 1961, Dominic has won six All-Ireland medals in First Aid finals, and met five Irish presidents, his favourite being President de Valera whom he says was "particularly friendly".

A fireman by vocation until he broke his back 20 years ago, Dominic found that in his job he dealt with many horrific scenes where what he learned in the Red Cross held him in good stead. Today, Dominic who is a member of the national Executive Committee of the Irish Red Cross, continues to provide vitally-needed first aid services to his community.

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