Letter: Red Cross welcome

Red Cross welcome

Sir: We warmly welcome the Prime Minister's announcement of funding of pounds 48m for a Millennium Volunteers initiative (report, 22 January).

If it were not for more than 80,000 volunteers, the British Red Cross simply could not deliver the range of services we offer to help vulnerable people in communities all over the country. It is the commitment and enthusiasm of these volunteers which enable us to respond, throughout the year, to emergencies of all kinds - whether a major accident or disaster, a heart attack at a public event or the needs of someone forced to return to an empty home after being discharged from hospital.

The dedication of our volunteers is eloquent proof that there are those in society for whom humanity does mean more than money.

SAM YOUNGER

Director General

British Red Cross Society

London SW1