The Bermuda Red Cross hosted an open house yesterday in an effort to showcase the wealth of services it provides.

Along with the rest of Bermuda, Governor George Fergusson was invited to the charity’s 65th anniversary and given the grand tour.

Guests were invited to learn about each service. Each room was dedicated to a different group of volunteers, and it was not before long that Mr Fergusson was on his knees.

Bent over a CPR mannequin, he followed training manager Claude Jean’s quiet cues, coaching him in resuscitation.

“I didn’t look too happy, did I?” he asked when he had finished.

Having given a convincing performance he was asked if he had ever performed CPR. To this he replied: “No”.

Mr Jean teaches a series of essential training programmes at the Red Cross. Courses include adult and paediatric CPR, rescue services, administering emergency oxygen and AED (Automated External Defibrillators).

The Berry Hill property, purchased in 1995, was formerly a residence and the high ceilings and original cedar woodwork remain. Parts of it, two apartments and office space, are rented, creating an income that is used for maintaining the old building making it unnecessary to drain the charity’s donations.

Director of The Bermuda Red Cross, Ann Spencer-Arscott said: “We’re debt free.”

These services, while important to the community, are imperative to the Red Cross, ensuring income for the charity. They are seeing less support from corporate businesses as there has been a shift towards service programmes instead.

The Red Cross, however, is in need of equipment. The rentals building, to the right of the main house, was purpose-built in 2003. It houses a wide variety of medical apparatus, but there is demand for more modern equipment. Lightweight wheelchairs and electric scooters are posted on the charity’s “wish list”.

The rentals staff are very familiar with the Governor’s aides-de-camp. “We know them well,” equipment rental manager, Judy Anderson Lindo, told The Royal Gazette.

“Mr Fergusson is a repeat customer. He rents from us every summer when his grandchildren come to visit,” she said.

They have 20 volunteers in their rental service, typically retirees.

It operates on an upgrade and repair system, the former adopted if the latter fails. The team includes drivers for delivery and maintenance personnel.

Mr Fergusson said: “It’s a brilliant system. A really brilliant system.”

“These are not for my wife and me,” he added, with a smile, as he pushed past the wheelchairs and walkers to the gear he recognised: car seats and high chairs his grandchildren have used.

Upstairs, “Cecile”, the Red Cross’s resident mannequin, entices customers daily with her revolving ensembles.

Mrs Spencer-Arscott said the thrift shop, which has been running for four years and has 30 volunteers, generates great revenue.

Through this service the Red Cross is also able to give donations using a voucher programme.

Organisations such as The Coalition for the Protection of Children and the Family Centre can benefit, especially in providing school uniforms for children.

Mrs Spencer-Arscott said: “It’s especially helpful for those trying to get back in the workforce. It’s amazing what you can get for 25 dollars!”

The Red Cross also took the opportunity to inform guests of The Golden Hour Club, a senior citizen’s fellowship club where seniors can gather and take part in a wide range of activities, games, picnics, field trips and concerts.

The organisation takes a proactive approach to its obligations, with additional courses cropping up regularly.

The newest programme is in crisis events and psychosocial support where volunteers are trained in community-based support, stress and coping, psychological first aid and supportive communication.

The course outline reads: “With the increase of crime and other critical incidents affecting the community, we have identified the need to educate and train key persons in the community to enable more to respond to these issues.

“It is our hope that we can establish and implement community crisis response service teams.”