At a House of Commons event, Sharon Hodgson, MP for Gateshead East and Washington West pledged support for the work of the British Red Cross and its renewed vision for the next 5 years.

Known as Saving Lives, Changing Lives, the strategy sets out the ambitions and priorities, and explains the difference the British Red Cross plans to make between 2010-2015, by helping vulnerable people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are.

The charity will continue to expand its help to those left in need by major emergencies of all types and will build more resilient communities. It will also provide essential health and social care to those most vulnerable to everyday crises and will support the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to meet growing humanitarian needs around the world.

Sharon Hodgson said “It’s great to see the Red Cross continuing its important work after so many years. ‘Saving Lives, Changing Lives’ sets out a clear and dynamic direction for the next 5 years.  I look forward to its implementation and will support its aims wherever possible, including here in our constituency.”

The end of 2009 is an historic moment for the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement, which marks the 150th anniversary of the battle of Solferino, which was the catalyst behind the Red Cross, as well as the 90th anniversary of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

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For more information on the British Red Cross please visit: the red cross website >>

Notes to editors
In total 27 MPs signed the pledge on the evening.  They include:

Mike Gapes MP; Rt Hon Ann Clwyd MP; James Sheridan MP; Gillian Merron MP; Bob Laxton MP; Bob Russell MP; David Watts MP; Andrew Rosindell MP; Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP; David Amess MP; Alison Seabeck MP; James Gray MP; Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP; Peter Bottomley MP; Nigel Griffiths MP; John Austin MP; Stephen Williams MP; Bob Spink MP; David Lepper MP; Mark Durkan MLA MP; Joan Humble MP; Fiona Mactaggart MP; Sharon Hodgson MP; Anthony Wright MP; Betty Williams MP

The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. They are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies.

The British Red Cross enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad, to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, they help them to recover and move on with their lives.

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www.sharonhodgson.org

Sharon Hodgson MP
House of Commons,
London SW1A 0AA

E-mail: hodgsons@parliament.uk

Constituency Office Tel. 0191 417 2000.