An Edinburgh resident is celebrating 75 years of working with the British Red Cross.
Isabel Thom, 86, first connected with the charity in 1948 and has visited various continents with her expertise since. Benefitting 'thousands of people' over the years, Isabel remains an active voice for the organisation.
She was 10 when she joined as a youth member in Falkirk, before heading to Bermuda and then settling in Edinburgh.
Isabel said: “Joining the British Red Cross had come about almost accidentally.
READ MORE - World-famous 'Sir David Attenborough' ship seen sailing under Forth Rail Bridge
"We had spent the war years in Glasgow, where my father had worked in the Cowlairs Railway Works. I started primary school there but when my grandmother died and my grandfather wasn’t coping, we came back to Falkirk.
“It just so happened that the leader of the British Red Cross Link and Cadet Units in Falkirk was a Miss Elizabeth Fordyce, who was a great character and very well known in the community. It was really de rigeur for the young girls in her Primary 5 class to join her Link and Cadet Units.
“I came to learn quite quickly, however, what the Red Cross was all about. This was still very post-war so we were well aware of hardships, refugees, displaced persons and that side of things."
In 1966, she moved to Bermuda with her husband where she set up a Cadet Unit at Mound St Agnes Academy. After eight years, she returned to Scotland before moving to Edinburgh with her family where she became Assistant Branch Director in the city.
Isabel added: “I think as I got into adulthood, general interest in the British Red Cross led to me continuing to volunteer.
“Background maybe had a bit to do with it, both my parents’ sides in the previous generation, had been very involved in community groups or organisations doing volunteer work. I think what the Red Cross stands for is what keeps me going as a volunteer. When you become aware of the international side, and in my time abroad, I was able to see what other nations required to run their own branches.”
Rob Murray, Director for Scotland, British Red Cross, said: “Isabel’s story is inspirational and demonstrates the very best of the British Red Cross.
“To have given 75 years to the organisation, both as a volunteer and staff member, is incredible and I congratulate her on the milestone anniversary. On behalf of the British Red Cross, I’d like to sincerely thank Isabel for her hard work and dedication.”
