The new headquarters of the Isle of Man Red Cross, at the business park on Cooil Road, Braddan, will be officially opened this afternoon (Tuesday).

The ceremony will be performed by the Lieutenant Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Paul Haddacks.

Also present will be the Chairman of the British Red Cross, James Cochrane.

The new building has been constructed at a cost of ?860,000 all of which has come from legacies and fund raising events.

Graham Bell reports:

(Text of attached audio)
It's taken about ten years to get from initial discussions to the official opening, although the move from the former headquarters, in Derby Square, Douglas was made last October.

Apart from offices for the eight full-time members of staff employed by the Red Cross in the Island, the main feature of the new building is a large training room, equipped with all the latest technology for making presentations.

The Red Cross has about 130 volunteers in the Isle of Man, who perform a wide range of duties.

The new headquarters became necessary when the work undertaken by the organisation outgrew the old building.

(Images, left to right: James Cochrane, from redcross.org.uk; Red Cross emblem; Sir Paul Haddacks).