Volunteer from Berkshire awarded British Empire Medal

A British Red Cross volunteer who has spent more than half a century with the charity has been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours.

Corinne Rowe, from Bracknell, in Berkshire, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM). 

The medal celebrates her work in a range of roles over the past 50 years, most recently in the British Red Cross emergency response team and mobility aids service.

Corinne said: “I am delighted to have been recognised in the New Year Honours for my work volunteering with the British Red Cross.
 
“We work extremely hard to help people who face the most difficult challenges in life and it is a huge honour to be recognised for that.”

As a long-standing member of the Bracknell centre, Corinne routinely covers extra shifts, recruits and trains new volunteers, while taking all issues in her stride.

Corinne is one of the British Red Cross’ most called-upon Emergency Response volunteers in the southeast. She takes on a leadership role at larger incidents and is a fount of knowledge.

Her work has included responding to local incidents, like providing her own sleeping bags and tents to a couple stranded after their boat caught fire, to being deployed to support people during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. 

Corinne has also been there to help those arriving in the UK from Sudan and Afghanistan.

Corinne added: “I’ve seen so much in the roles I’ve had over the years, from helping people in Bracknell with wheelchair access and local emergencies, to welcoming those arriving in the UK following a crisis overseas.

“It is so important to do this work in order to ensure people who are in crisis and need a helping hand can receive the correct support.”

British Red Cross Chief Executive Béatrice Butsana-Sita said: “Corinne is an exceptional ambassador for the British Red Cross and a fantastic example of the brilliant staff and volunteers that support our vital work.

“For decades she has been a huge figure in our Berkshire services, giving up her time to support vulnerable people when they need it most and is always ready to respond to people in crisis. 

“She also has the lived experience to bring training to life for other volunteers, acting as mentor for the next generation.

“I am delighted to see Corinne honoured in this way and I would like to pass on my congratulations on this richly-deserved honour and thank her for her continued passion.”

British Red Cross

 For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. With millions of volunteers in over 190 countries, the British Red Cross is part of an international humanitarian Movement that’s there for people before, during and after a crisis. Together, we are the world’s emergency responders.