Dundalk Red Cross urge the public to join their fundraising campaign

Irish Red Cross volunteers, including those in the Dundalk branch, give one million minutes of their time every month helping people and communities across Ireland, from responding to medical emergencies to supporting communities affected by storms, flooding and other crises.

Now, as Ireland enters the winter storm season, the Irish Red Cross is calling on the public to help strengthen that vital volunteer network through A Million Minutes, a new national fundraising and awareness campaign launching today.

This month, on 25 October the clocks go back and people in Ireland will gain an extra hour. ‘A Million Minutes’ campaign is asking people to give back their hour by taking the Irish Red Cross 1 hour challenge – Walk, Run, Hike, Cycle, Dance, Play, Learn - and raise vital funds for the Irish Red Cross. 

With extreme weather and other emergencies placing increasing demands on communities, funds raised through A Million Minutes will help strengthen the capacity and capability of Irish Red Cross volunteers and branches nationwide, ensuring they are equipped and ready to respond when people need them most.

In Dundalk, the Irish Red Cross branch will host a CPR demonstration and bucket collection in the square on Sunday 25 October and everyone is welcome to get a taster of vital lifesaving skills.

Ryan Hayes, Chair of the Irish Red Cross, Dundalk branch said: “Crises don’t wait until we’re ready. The Dundalk branch of the Irish Red Cross is focussed on preparing for emergencies – be it a severe storm, flooding, a fire or pandemic - responding when needed and helping the Dundalk community recover stronger. 

“We are preparing by upskilling our volunteers and increasing the capacity of our branch. With the support of the public and local businesses we can do even more.

“We are inviting everyone to take the Irish Red Cross one hour challenge – be that a sponsored run, walk, cycle, swim - and help us raise ‘A million Minutes’ – essentially help us buy more vital preparation time - to train our volunteers, maintain and upgrade their equipment, and make our branch network even stronger, and better able to respond to their communities in times of crisis.”

Irish Red Cross Dundalk branch supports its local community in a wide variety of ways, including: 

- Providing first aid cover at 40 local events, festivals and sporting occasions – enabling people to safely enjoy events like Countryfest, Joesfest, Youth Work Ireland Louth Colour Run, Oriel Park School Girls League, Dundalk Pride, American football and many more.

- Weekly first aid training programmes to ensure volunteers are ready to respond to their local community when needed. 

- CPR Primary Schools programme – 250 students in Dundalk schools learned new, lifesaving skills thanks to Irish Red Crosss, Dundalk branch during 2025.

- Food donation drive at Christmas time, delivering hampers to families in the locality.

- Dundalk T-Bear group (aged 4-9 years old) meet weekly to learn first aid skills, sign language, hazard safety while Youth volunteers (aged 10 –17 years old) complete educational programmes including positive mental health, LGBT+ Allies, anti-bullying and first aid skills. 

- Community support programmes promoting inclusion and wellbeing such as Integration Cafés in partnership with Louth Volunteer Centre and Louth Local Development, and Traveller Mental Health initiatives promoting awareness, inclusion and access to support programmes. 

To support these initiatives and give one million minutes back to the Irish Red Cross visit www.amillionminutes.com to kick start your one hour challenge or to make a donation.