Red Cross National Assembly, Manchester, 2008

Well, as the title hints, this post is a wee report from the Red Cross National Assembly held in Manchester on the 8th March.

I suppose the best place to start would be on the Friday morning (the day before the Assembly), when us lot from Northern Scotland spent roughly ten hours on a bus before arriving in bonnie Manchester, or at least the Elgin crew spent roughly ten hours (we set off at 7.45 am, thanks very much). We picked up other members along the way, from Inverness to Perth, and what can only be described as banter took place along the way. It really was a good bus journey, albeit long and at points a bit boring when we ran out of things to say or do. Someone mentioned the fact that there was a 20 year gap between the front and back ends of the bus, which was true enough; the slightly older members (I'm not trying to offend anyone here) sat and enjoyed the ride at the front, whilst the slightly younger members dominated the back row (the 'boss' flitted in between, maybe because he wasn't quite sure which category he fitted into - now that was an offense, but a jokey one!). Therefore the back of the bus seemed a lot louder and we had a few film-worthy moments, which were actually captured on camera for the mini film which was to be shown at the assembly the next day.

Anyway, one lengthy bus trip later and we pulled up outside Manchester's MacDonald Hotel, and boy, was it swanky! Talk about fancy, even the reception was pretty posh (but then it did have a rather classy bar which we made good use of later on!).

We checked in and went to our rooms to dump the luggage. My room was 527 - typically, I was on the 5th floor. I say typically because whenever I stay in a hotel or travel lodge I always end up with the room on one of the highest floors. Never mind, there were lifts, however I'm not the biggest fan of lifts, and don't like to be in one alone (as some of my fellow red crossers found out). So I made good use of the stairs when I could; after all, its good exercise.

Then, after a quick drink and catch-up with the boyfriend at the bar, it was time for a bit of something to eat. After the grub, it was another chance to test the bar, and I think us Northern Scotters proved that Scots really do like the odd drink, or two, or three...and could be somewhat rowdy (I can think of some good examples of people, but I don't like to mention names on here, so...).

At midnight, myself and a few other colleagues buggered off to our rooms...


...Yeah, right. Actually we went for an extra wee drink in another member's room and continued our own little banter, before giving in at 1.30am and slumping off to bed. Now don't go telling anyone...


The next day was the Assembly. Leaving the fancy-pants hotel behind we set off down the road to arrive at the Conference Centre. You couldn't miss it - the row of Red Cross Emergency Response vehicles outside was a great give away. Inside however was far more interesting. There were two sides to this assembly - one side was the number of exhibitions in the hall part of the centre and then there was the actual auditorium area where the conference side of it took place (I'm not very good at descriptions). The exhibitions were all great, and all very interesting. Each stand showed you the various parts of the Red Cross; there were stalls which displayed parts of the Red Cross that I didn't realise existed. It was an eye-opener.
The conference side to it was even better. The man in charge himself, Sir Nick Young, along with various other people all high up in the ranks of the RC, gave brilliant presentations, as well as the regular volunteers who went up to present their side of working in the RC. It gave such a great insight into what the RC actually is, and the things that we do nationally and internationally. It rekindled some faith in humanity, that there were so many willing volunteers out there who wanted to help make a difference during and after a crisis, no matter how large or small.
The work of the RC is never ending, and each penny that goes into this magnificent organisation is put to good use, either into training schemes, or buying new equipment, and so on, so forth. You may think I'm being biased, but really, if you want to know the true side of the RC, then the National Assembly is the place to go. Maybe the RC should host other similar exhibitions for the public to go along to, and that way they find out more and awareness of the RC is increased. I'm sure similar things do happen, but if the events were made more, well, eventful, people might be more encouraged to go along. Who knows, we may even rig up some more willing volunteers.
Anyway, the Assembly really did make me feel proud for being a part of such an amazing organisation. I know not everything in the RC is hunky-dorey; things could be better. But to see so many people all there for the same reason - to support the RC - and to know that all the people were with the RC to help and care for people in a crisis, really plucked at the old heartstrings and filled me with an inner sense of pride. Check me getting all patriotic...

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end - the assembly was no exception. We clambered back on board the bus, waved Manchester good bye, and endured another ten hour ride home. The bus pulled into Elgin at 2am.
Enough said, it was time for bed.