A LAWYER who has been involved with the British Red Cross for more than 17 years has been appointed president of the Jersey branch.

Advocate Marc Yates, of law firm Ogier, took on the ambassadorial role this month after spending eight years as the committee chairman.

In his new role the Jersey-born advocate will support fund-raising activities for the Red Cross and was recently in Buckingham Palace at the British Red Cross Royal garden party to commemorate 100 years since the charity received its royal charter.

Advocate Yates (48), of St John, said: ‘I am looking forward to the new role and continuing to work with the Jersey committee as the Red Cross builds on its solid foundations as well as developing new initiatives in Jersey.

‘We have some exciting projects in the pipeline and I hope that upon fruition, these will be the catalysts for both old and new supporters of the Red Cross to be able to get involved and make a difference.’

The former Victoria College pupil lives in St John with this wife, Micha, and their four children.

British Red Cross Territory fund-raising manager Michael Pearson said: ‘Marc’s appointment comes at a period of some exciting developments for the charity in Jersey, because in the last two years we have seen our first fund-raiser, Sara Clews, forge some close relationships with organisations, companies, individuals and schools across the Island and build on the historic bond there has been between Jersey and the Red Cross.

‘It has been my pleasure to know Marc for many years, and in his new role we will be fortunate to retain his enthusiasm and dedication.’

The generosity of Islanders has raised life-changing amounts of money over the years in support of the Red Cross and its projects overseas.

Through collections, private donations and fund-raising events in Jersey, the Red Cross has set up a health care project in Sierra Leone which has provided sustainable aid to 1,500 people living with water-borne diseases and poor nutrition. It has supplied clean water to people living in southern African states and has rebuilt communities after floods in Mozambique, Bosnia and the Pakistan earthquake.

It also received great support from Jersey during the Tsunami said Mr Pearson. Advocate Yates was also joined Mike Wavell and Jean Le Maistre of Jersey Side by Side to raise £2.2 million for the South-East Asia Appeal.