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