A service that supports people in Cornwall in the immediate aftermath of a fire received a royal seal of approval recently when Princess Alexandra, deputy president of the British Red Cross visit Falmouth Fire Station.

Her Royal Highness met volunteers and staff from the charity’s fire and emergency support (FES) service, along with local fire fighters and town dignitaries during a visit to station.

During her visit the princess watched an exercise involving members of the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and Red Cross volunteers. She was then escorted by chief fire officer, Des Tidbury, and Rosie Jackson, president of the Red Cross in Cornwall, to meet Red Cross volunteers and fire fighters to discuss how they work together in emergencies.

She also met a group of young people involved in the Phoenix project and was shown around the FES vehicle which has been specially adapted to support people during emergencies such as house fires.

Richard Williams, FES coordinator at the Red Cross in Cornwall, said: “I was impressed by the level of knowledge Princess Alexandra already had about our service and the interest she expressed. I am very pleased with the support she has shown by visiting today. I hope that, as a result, we can get more local people interested in finding out about the service and joining our team of dedicated volunteers.”

Since the Cornwall FES service was launched in December 2012 it has responded to 75 emergencies, helping 80 people. The service is only possible thanks to the generous donations and a team of hard-working local fundraisers who spent two years organising everything from tea parties to comedy nights to raise the £40,000 needed for the vehicle.

The Red Cross is now recruiting new volunteers to add to its existing team of 25.

To find out more about volunteering for FES, call Richard Williams on 01872 267960 or email richardwilliams@redcross.org.uk After leaving the fire station, the princess was welcomed at clothing company Seasalt’s headquarters on the Falmouth Business Park.