Peschiera Red Cross Celebrates Volunteers and Seeks Funds for New Ambulance
Seven different provincial delegations took part in the celebration of the arilicensi colleagues of the Croce Rossa; a weekend dedicated to rescue volunteers and a goal that is as delicate as it is important: a new ambulance.
“The Peschiera delegation was founded in 1983,” explains Lorenzo Marchi, Group Inspector since last October, “and today, after a few years of stagnation, it has regained a good number of volunteers, 75 in total, with 30 recruited, so to speak, from the latest course.”
“And the most noteworthy data is that of these thirty, the majority are students: the return of a sensitivity toward rescue volunteering among young people is the big novelty of recent months, and we are all happy about it; their presence and engagement are crucial to give perspective and continuity to our service in the territory.”
Activities and services provided by the Croce Rossa of Peschiera
A highly demanding service: during the week, crews and vehicles of Cri di Peschiera monitor every night and during the 48 hours of Saturdays and Sundays in front of the Casa di Cura Pederzoli, at the disposal of the 118 emergency; in addition, there is activity supporting all events in the area and the Friday dedicated for a long time now to entertainment at the Casa di riposo Gandini.
“If we add the calls for patient transports between hospitals and homes, it quickly becomes clear how volunteers and vehicles are always busy,” emphasizes Marchi.
And while the latest indications show that there is no, and will not be, a shortage of volunteers, the greatest concerns come from the vehicle fleet.
Need for a new ambulance
“The oldest ambulance (pictured above), the historic one of the group, is really in precarious conditions,” says the Inspector, “and it’s time for its retirement; but the service does not allow us to give up any vehicle: we need a new ambulance, which, with equipment, costs around 110,000 euros.”
This is the group’s main goal: to raise the funds necessary to acquire a vehicle capable of ensuring prompt intervention in emergencies.
“During our two-day volunteer celebration, we received initial support from the Yacht Club del Garda; there is still a long way to go, but I am hopeful: Peschiera has already responded generously in the past, and I hope it will do so again; the effort required is not too much if everyone participates.”
Giuditta Bolognesi