Two Perthshire volunteers got to enjoy a dream day out last week when they enjoyed the action at Wimbledon.
Maggie Watson and Lorna Andrew are British Red Cross volunteers.
They were invited to the iconic venue by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) in recognition of charitable work during the pandemic.
Maggie helps out at the British Red Cross Shop in Auchterarder.
She first got involved with the British Red Cross because she “wanted to volunteer as a way of getting involved in the community”.
She added: “The British Red Cross is such a worthwhile cause, not least the pandemic relief around the world.”
Reflecting on the day at Wimbledon, Maggie said: “There is nothing quite like watching live sport - it is such a thrill.”
Lorna, who lives in Blairgowrie, is a mobility aid volunteer who helps people in need access a wheelchair across Dundee.
This was Lorna’s first trip to Wimbledon, via an overnight bus from Perth, and she said: “I was sitting at home watching all the games and I just couldn’t believe I was going myself. I thought it was a joke”
Speaking about her volunteering role, Lorna said she got involved to “find an experience working in an office.” She added: “It was the perfect fit and I would encourage others to think about it too”.
At the beginning of 2020, the Wimbledon Foundation made an initial donation of £100,000 to support British Red Cross aid for those affected by emergencies. With the pandemic ongoing, the Wimbledon Foundation announced a donation of £100,000 to the British Red Cross Global Coronavirus Appeal.
A further donation of £100,000 has also been made to the British Red Cross Disaster Fund, which during the past year has provided support to those affected by the devastating explosion in Beirut, severe flooding in Sudan and by Hurricane Eta in Central America.
British Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson took his seat alongside Lorna and Maggie as a guest spectator of the Centre Court action on Thursday.
He said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to be at Wimbledon alongside Red Cross staff and volunteers. The atmosphere was terrific.”
To volunteer or make a donation go to www.redcross.org.uk
