THE new president of the British Red Cross in County Durham and Teesside is to scale new heights to raise awareness of the charity.

Volunteer Kirsty Robeson hopes to raise £2,000 and kick start her presidency in style by abseiling off Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge on Sunday, October 18.

The mother-of-three, from Wolsingham, County, Durham, has been involved with the charity since January but has more than 12 years experience in the voluntary sector.

She is passionate about the Red Cross and hopes to use her position to showcase its work in the region.

This includes work with the emergency services, such as attending house fires to provide support to victims; supplying additional ambulances; helping out during floods; supporting vulnerable people during power cuts; transporting people to hospital and supporting them when they return home.

The 42-year-old said: “The Red Cross is well known and respected as an organisation but it does so much in our area that people don’t know about. I want to change this and raise awareness of its work.

“The Red Cross is a humanitarian charity. It helps everybody, regardless of who they are or where they come from. If there is a human being in crisis the Red Cross will come and help.”

As well as acting as an ambassador for the charity, Mrs Robeson’s role will see her co-ordinate fundraising in County Durham and Teesside and support the charity’s other 400 local volunteers.

To sponsor Mrs Robeson, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KirstyRobeson

To find out more about the charity’s work in the area and how to get involved, contact kirstyrobeson@btinternet.com