My visit to the Red Cross Great Summer Garden Event didn’t start terribly well. Having left my wallet behind in the rush to leave the house they had to lend me £50 so that I had something to spend on some of the great things that were on sale. Debra Tritton, President of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire Red Cross was a very attentive host and I was given a great insight into the work that the Red Cross is doing in the county, especially helping the elderly of Shropshire remain independent. The weather was awful – wet and cold – but spirits were still high and Cound Hall, where the event was staged, thanks to the generosity of David and Nancy Waller, made for a fabulous setting. A large number of volunteers had done an enormous amount of work to put the event on and make it a success. I am learning that Shropshire really is a county where people are committed to giving something back and helping to improve the lot of others.