Since Hurricane Irma, the Red Cross headquarters in Road Town has served as a bustling epicentre for the relief effort.
But last Thursday evening, it hosted a glowing awards ceremony.
Governor Gus Jaspert attended the ceremony along with his wife Millie, who was named a patron of the BVI Red Cross and handed out each award.
British Red Cross CEO Mike Adamson, who had been visiting the territory for the week, also presented the Henry Dunant team award to Geoffrey Brooks, chairman of the board of directors for the territory’s Red Cross branch.
Mr. Adamson remarked in a speech that after his visit he has become more committed to the organisation’s mission.
“One of the privileges of this week is sitting in the different groups of volunteers and hearing your team’s and other teams’ stories, and today on Virgin Gorda — it’s really moving,” he said. “The personal responsibly that you take on — listening to other peoples’ troubles — that’s a really remarkable responsibility, to listen to other peoples’ struggles and offer them empathy and consolation.”
Mr. Adamson also remarked that the Red Cross’s profile is often heightened after natural disasters, but he hopes that out of the increased awareness comes an opportunity to do good.
“The sad thing about the Red Cross is that it is in moments of crisis that our profile is suddenly increased. It’s when other people are in trouble that the Red Cross suddenly becomes the focus,” he said. “It’s slightly sad in one way, but it’s so important that we build on that opportunity … because people are looking at us around the world, and here in BVI as well.”
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