Team Rubicon, who usually send their ex-military volunteers to disaster relief situations overseas have been sending volunteers to UK charities, and especially care homes, to help in the crisis. A team of 7 volunteers have supported Royal British Legion Industries across their diverse veterans’ Village near Maidstone for three weeks.
The team came in to help look after older veterans and have supported with practical caring work and additional cleaning. They were able to help residents with maintenance and renovation tasks, and cleared parts of the garden so that more residents could be more safely distanced outside. The team were accompanied by well-known Team Rubicon ambassadors Aldo Kane and Jason Fox.
As all RBLI’s veteran residents have at least one health condition, they are at the greatest risk from Covid 19. Having the Rubicon volunteer team provided much needed relief, and encouragement, for RBLI’s care staff who had all been working long shifts day and night, for 6 weeks, and were suffering from the effects of hyper vigilance. Team Rubicon’s CEO Richard Sharp said:
“Visiting the Village has had a profound effect on me. It might be the most moved I’ve been by anything Team Rubicon has done to date. RBLI’s team is doing the most incredible work in the face of this hardship and I was bowled over by them. I am beyond proud that Team Rubicon can help.”
The Rubicon volunteer team were so motivated by RBLI’s community that they returned with their Chairman General Nick Parker to help RBLI’s residents mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day. They helped by safely delivering special parcels that had been donated by ABF the Soldiers’ Charity which included fresh flowers, cakes, vintage sweets, hats and flags, bubbly and a bottle of Spitfire. RBLI’s Chief Executive Steve Sherry said:
“I am very glad indeed that Team Rubicon could come and help us. Covid 19 has been distressing and anxiety levels have never been higher. Our wonderful care team needed this lift desperately. It hasn’t just been a practical help; it has lifted morale at the most difficult time.”
