Red Cross Blogs

Super size event first aid at Reading half marathon

By Ben Stickley
March 27, 2010 at 3:00 pm

Sunday 21 March 2010, at 07:30 on a bright and sunny morning 165 British Red Cross volunteers from across Thames Valley and beyond stood ready to leap into action – The annual Reading Half Marathon was about to begin.

The Reading Half Marathon is the biggest event covered by the Red Cross event first aid teams in the South East. Featuring almost 12,500 competitors and 20,000 spectators spread out around a 13.1 mile route the event fits firmly into the super size category.

A total of 165 British Red Cross volunteers and staff and 12 St John Ambulance personnel covered the event. Our volunteers came from Buckinghamshires, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire (Winchester/Hayling Island) and London. As well as the first aid and ambulance provision there was also a contingent that dealt with the catering (breakfast and lunch) and welfare needs of personnel and casualties.

The team dealt with 104 casualties with a wide variety of injuries. 83 were minor inuries and were dealt with at the treatment centre and on first aid posts. 21 were major injuries with eight of them being taken on to hospital, the rest recieving treatment in the onsite major injuries treatment centre. Injuries included dehydration, minor abrasions, limb injuries, sprains, strains, pulled muscles.

Kaye Howard, event duty officer said: “We feel the Reading Half Marathon went well this year. The volunteers’ hard work is amazing. Their skills and experience are absolutely invaluable and their team spirit is just fantastic! The Reading Half Marathon is a massive team effort with all the different elements involved so it is a real achievement when the event is such a success.”

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Tags: event first aid, First aid, UK, volunteers

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