Machines that save lives.

Machines that save lives

                                             

The Malta Red Cross; what are you thinking; a group of volunteers who have an old ambulance and administer first aid at marathons and special events? Wrong. A group of 25-30 highly trained people with some of the best equipment in southern Europe, and they do this in their spare time, for free.

From their base in Pembroke I turn up early on a Saturday morning at the former stables to see five young volunteers cleaning out two immaculate 1990’s Ford Transits that once raced around the roads of the UK in order to save a life. Now they are having a second chance to do just that on our islands.

Behind me under a canopy sits the flagship of the fleet, affectionatly known as ‘Lola’. Originally seeing service in the Liverpool ambulance Service she was donated by our President and now sits proud in her Batten-burg paint job sporting a big Malta Red Cross. Stepping inside Lola you can be assured that you would be made comfortable as her 2.4 TDCi engine with over 100hp takes you to the comfort of a hospital bed.

Lola is part of a five strong fleet that saw action in the Libya crisis. At a moments notice they were all (and still are) deployed to pick up injured soldiers from flights into Malta and then transport them to Mater Dei hospital. Of course a subject that has caused a bit of debate recently. That aside, without the Malta Red Cross it would not have been possible to complete this mission. And what’s more it wasn’t just the fleet of Transits and Mercedes that helped out on the job.

It’s not just the emergency situations where the MRC come in handy. They get deployed to some of the islands biggest events alongside the Malta Community Chest fund. In the summer they provided the First Aid to the Isle of MTV. I am sure if Snoop Dog pulled a muscle while dancing around the stage or became ill he’d be well looked after, even if the ‘Dawg’ were a bit of a diva.

The organisation is backed up with the strongest 4x4’s that will handle any terrain. The Toyota Hilux pickup with its on-board stretchers and winches will take care of anything in its path. Flanked closely by a series 3 Land Rover both their 2.5 diesel engines not only make life economical but powerful enough for the job. Each specified to emergency standards I know I’d be glad to see these if I was off-road. There is even room in there for the specially adapted mountain bikes which have been used for various marathon’s and marches all over the islands. If they weren’t enough the quad bike is capable enough of getting anywhere whilst being able to carry the injured on specially adapted stretcher.

Next to Lola sits a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) which is hoped will be operational for next summer. Powered by two 70hp Yamaha engines this will be one of the fastest rescue boats in the Med. Being a qualified powerboat pilot I myself know how incredible manoeuvrable this vessel can be. Having worked with the RNLI on the south coast of England last year I know how vital these machines are. It’ll need a bit of work and some funding yet with the teams amazing spirit I know this will be achieved.

After spending such a short time here it is hard to believe that with sky high over-heads the MRC rely totally on funding and generosity. I was so touched by the team’s dedication to the job and the machines that indeed do save lives. In fact, I was so impressed I have joined them. So, do something positive today let’s look after our very own Malta Red Cross…you never know when you might need them.

If you would like to be part of the team or indeed help with funding contact them now: 79000112 or info@redcrossmalta.org.mt

Ben Glover
(Originally published for 'Wheelspin' magazine September 2011)

 Ben Glover is 32, lives in Malta with his wife and son. He is a broadcaster/DJ and writer for magazines plus other publications. The Daddy Cool Box is currently weekly (ish) and an escapism for Dads and frustrated petrol heads! For more info e-mail direct: gloverfreelance@gmail.com

Time for change...NEW Malta

I woke this morning thinking how clear the air now seems. Living off the Regional road in Swieqi I am not a stranger to the rude awakening of a ‘Cummins Turbo 340’ that is ‘Made in Heaven’. Don’t get me wrong I loved the old buses however it is time move on. And have you also noticed that our roads are getting a slow transformation? My workhorse, the aging Daewoo Racer normally loses a mirror or a camshaft in the way to the gym as it hits more holes than Tiger Woods in a golf cart. I quite like this ‘New Malta’.

However, driving around I have seen something that shocks me right through to the core. It is something that I am actually really passionate about and saddens me every time I see it, yet I am helpless to do anything. Until now. I am talking about seat belts. Since 1995 it has been compulsory to wear them and from 2004 in the back for rear passengers. In a country that is populated by more cars than citizens the results could be catastrophic if not fatal.

Some of the biggest culprits are 4x4 drivers. Now, I am a fan of SUV’s and off-roaders, in fact when I win the lotto I’ll be the first to buy the new BMW X5 M. But don’t think because the bigger the car the safer it is. Of course, it will be a lot less of an impact for you, maybe not so lucky for the car in front. Only last night a Mitsubishi Shogun pulled up outside my house with three children in the back not wearing any seat belts. The wife had to stop me from walking out of my gate to have a word. That's how much it annoys me.

You maybe thinking, ‘What right does he have to say what I can or cannot do?’ You are right. Still in a crash at 48kph/30mph, if you are unrestrained, you will hit the front seat, and anyone in it, with a force of between 30 and 60 times your own body weight. Think about it. That’s at least one fully-grown elephant at a speed you think is not that quick. This could be our children. In a place where car journeys are short an the average speeds are 60 kph in places and the roads are in a poor condition the next drive you take may not be so straight forward.

I know some insurance companies are not paying out if you are injured in a car accident and were not wearing a seatbelt. Having closely worked with the Hampshire Constabulary in the UK and a volunteer with the Roads Policing Unit I have heard horror stories and seen the impact of not wearing a seatbelt. Having sat in the passenger seat of an un-marked police car on the UK’s motorways most of the offenses committed were; 1) speeding, 2) speeding whilst on a mobile and 3) speeding without wearing a seatbelt. This carries heavy penalties and points on your license. The insurance goes up and then you are unable to feed your children for at least a month as well as being divorced by your wife for being an idiot. 

OK, we do not have any motorways on the Maltese islands, however as previously mentioned even at just over 48kph the impact can be severe.

My Daewoo Racer (badged Vauxhall Belmont in 80's) maybe knocking on in years yet it still has that ‘annoying’ noise that reminds me that I have no seatbelt on. Most modern cars have this only for the front passengers, sadly the rear ones don’t. With the exception of the Citroen C4 Picasso. My wife used to sell these and so we had one at least once a month. A great car, and if you are not strapped in the bong gets louder until you can pretty much not hear the world around you. My son will not under any circumstances let me drive my car until everyone in it is strapped in. And he’s only five.

I hope the Maltese government’s Verona Charter promoting road safety through education continues to highlight this issues and that we can take this seriously. For me it seems to have all gone a bit quiet.

Please forgive me, I do not want to sound like your Father or plan a protest in the streets but surely if we are a ‘New Malta’ we owe it not just to ourselves but those around us, especially the kids.


Ben Glover
(Originally published for 'Wheelspin' magazine September 2011)


Ben Glover is 32, lives in Malta with his wife and son. He is a broadcaster/DJ and writer for magazines plus other publications. The Daddy Cool Box is currently weekly (ish) and an escapism for Dads and frustrated motorists! For more info e-mail direct: gloverfreelance@gmail.com