THE British Red Cross was set up in 1870, and celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

This milestone is being used as a chance not only to celebrate the heritage but also to look forward, and to continue for another 150 years.

To celebrate the milestone, the current fundraising committee of the Devon Red Cross is organising 150 coffee mornings around the county - and it needs the help of the public!

Coffee mornings can be in an office, at a person’s home, at a school, a church or at any venue where an organiser can get people together.

Devon Red Cross will be organising a diary of events, so all it is asking is that volunteers who organise a British Red Cross coffee morning register it.

Volunteer organisers will be sent a suggested invitation to email or post to friends and colleagues, some balloons, some raffle tickets and the all-important instructions about getting the money raised to the charity.

If you are unable to host a coffee morning then you can still support the British Red Cross by buying or selling raffle tickets. The top prize is £500 and there is a one-in-10,000 chance of winning the top prize.

The British Red Cross endeavours to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found.

The movement does not take sides in hostilities and is independent, voluntary and open to all.

Around the world, whenever a humanitarian crisis occurs, the Red Cross is always one of the first organisations on the scene.

The Red Cross puts kindness into action - borrow a wheelchair, get support at home, get help as a refugee or asylum seeker, get help with loneliness, etc.

The British Red Cross is a national charity with a strong local presence in Devon. All the money raised will be used in Devon to support the services of Emergency Response, Independent Living Services, Plymouth Connecting Communities, Mobility Aids, First Aid and Refugee Services and Family Tracing.

Further details are available from Diane Bentley, email: [email protected] , Deborah Custance Baker by email at: [email protected] or telephone 01392 861750.