Red Cross launches environmental initiative

British Red Cross First Aid Training is starting the year with an initiative aimed at helping their customers to reduce their carbon footprint.

The training provider launched their innovative iBrochures during 2008, and following their huge success has decided to make moves towards a paperless communication strategy for the coming year. Investment in more environmentally friendly and technologically innovative forms of communication is set to take precedence over traditional, paper based communications.

Tracey Turner, Campaign Manager for First Aid Training at the Red Cross explains,

"We received extremely positive feedback following the introduction of the iBrochures last year. Individuals have become increasingly aware and concerned about the environment and are keen to look for ways to reduce the impact that they have. Increasingly, this momentum has continued into the world of business with many companies now adopting "green" policies to form part of their Corporate Social Responsibility plans.

We are encouraging our customers to move away from a reliance on printed materials and look to new media to provide more environmentally friendly alternatives. What better way to do this than to take the lead!"

The benefits of the Red Cross initiative are not only aimed at benefiting future generations. A reduction in expenditure on printed material by the First Aid Training team allows for a greater contribution towards the humanitarian work of the society, helping people who are facing disasters here and now.  

After operating costs, every penny raised through the provision of Red Cross first aid at work training is donated to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to fund their humanitarian work in the UK and across the world. During 2008 over 100,000 people were trained in life saving skills, meaning that a positive contribution of more than £3.5 million was made towards helping people in crisis.

The move comes as part of a wider Red Cross initiative to cut its own carbon emissions.

<sub>Notes to editors
British Red Cross First Aid Training website can be viewed at: www.redcrossfirstaidtraining.co.uk

The British Red Cross First Aid Training iBrochure is available at: http://redcross.trainingcourses.ibrochures.co.uk/

Course bookings can be made by calling 0844 871 8000
 
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.</sub>

_{Contact
Lydia Mottershead
0161 888 8952
lmottershead@redcross.org.uk}

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