Thursday 10th August 2006
Skeleton staff.
(An amusing story of dedication from a volunteer.....)

What started as a normal working day for Red Cross driver John Rankin ended with him driving from one end of Glasgow to the other with a full sized skeleton in his passenger seat.

When John showed up at the Ayr Red Cross Branch on 21st July, he was asked to transport three boxed up skeletons to the Glasgow Branch office in the city centre.  Once there he was given another three skeletons to take to Glasgow University's Faculty of Medicine  - and only two were boxed!

The sixth skeleton was six feet tall and fastened together with metal springs and pins.  Once the other five bone filled boxes were stuffed into the back of his estate car, there was only one place for it to go.

John remembers: "In my infinite wisdom, I decided the best way to transport the skeleton across Glasgow - in the heart of the rush hour - was to put it into the front passenger seat.  Secured with a seat belt, obviously.

"Of course, I expected some double takes from other motorists as we hobbled along bumper to bumper.  But I didn't expect what pulled up next to me at the very next set of traffic lights - a police patrol car!"

John had been concerned that someone might report this strange road apparition to the police, and now had visions of blue flashing lights, sirens and handcuffs.

He said: "Trying to appear normal, I glanced over to see how they would react to my unconventional transport client.  The driver slowly turned towards me, then took a huge double take and I thought: 'The game's up, he's going to have me here'.  But instead, he beamed a huge smile and nudged his partner.  Another head bent forward to look at my strange passenger  and his face also lit up with a broad grin.  Finally, the lights changed to green, the patrol car drove off and I could breathe again.  I can honestly say that I have never been so glad to deliver my passengers to their destination.  Though with hindsight, I wish I'd put a mobile phone in my passenger's hand and held up to his ear.   It might have appeared less out of the ordinary".

2007 New York Marathon

Changes to Expense Claim Procedure: VAT Receipts.

This is a copy of a document recently received from Branch.  It will involve everyone who claims mileage allowances.

Dear Colleague,
We need to make a slight alteration to the reimbursement of expenses policy and procedures.
Basically the Inland Revenue wants to see VAT receipts for the fuel claims of staff and volunteers.  we've tried to get a dispensation so that we do not need to do this, but we have been unsuccessful.
If you claim mileage you will need, in future, to include a receipt.  However, it does not have to be for the exact amount claimed as clearly this would be unworkable.

Example Scenario:
You might be claiming 40p per mile, which is far in excess of the fuel costs.  You might, for example, be claiming for 20 miles but your receipt is for filling the whole tank.  You might be claiming once every two months rather than on the date of the British Red Cross related duty or work.  Our solution to comply with the Inland Revenue requirements is as simple as we can make it under the circumstances.
If you are claiming reimbursements for fuel, please use this simple process as a guide:
a)  Complete the expenses form as normal;
b)  Attach a VAT receipt for fuel that pre-dates the date of the 'duty' or 'work' for which you are claiming;
c)  Do not worry if it's not for the same amount, it does not matter.  The finance team at Paisley will manage the audit for the Inland Revenue.  However, your VAT receipt should be for an amount that exceeds the fuel costs only of your journey - i.e. not the full 40p per mile of the claim;
d)  Do not worry about the Inland Revenue assessment.  We have been informed that it will not affect your tax situation at all;
e)  If, for some reason, you need to keep your VAT receipts, attach a photocopy;
f) Do not try to tie your receipt with the amount claimed.  Just attach one to the claim and leave it up to the finance team in Paisley (SPU) to sort out.
g) Managers who have responsibility for signing/confirming expenses claims will continue to process claims without receipts attached but will remind you that they are needed.