Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

BVI Red Cross names training room in honour of Astrid C. Wenzke

The BVI Red Cross has named its training room in honour of Germany's Honourary Consul to the Virgin Islands, Ms Astrid C. Wenzke, in recognition of her over 34 years of service to the organisation.

At a simple surprise ceremony yesterday, October 5, 2020, at BVI Red Cross headquarters in Road Town, Wenzke was of the impression she was there to give the history of the Red Cross in the BVI at the dedication of the refurbished training room.

Surprise gesture


She was; however, left a bit confused when she was made to sit in a special chair among the small gathering and the chairperson and Director of BVI Red Cross, Stacy C. Lloyd, announced that the programme was actually to honour Wenzke.

Among those present to share in the moment were Patron of the organisation Mrs Millie Jaspert and her husband Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert; Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL); BVI Red Cross Chairman Geoffrey Brooks; Immediate Past District Governor of Rotary Mrs Delma Maduro; Representative of the BVI Diabetes Association Ms Jean Vanterpool; and President of the Cancer Society of the BVI Ms Gloria A. Fahie.

Many of the persons in attendance attested to Ms Wenzke's invaluable contributions during her over 40 years of living in the territory, and shared among several organisations.

'Most fitting' honour


In Brief remarks, Honourable Malone said, "I am glad that all the other organisations can boast her as there's but she was first ours (a Lion) and throughout all the years."

Recollecting some of the invaluable experiences with Wenzke, Hon Malone reflected on her being his go-to person when recently putting together a narrative for the 40th anniversary of the Lions Club of the BVI.

"So I am quite pleased to be a part of this celebration. I am quite glad to be here in your presences and to see your name so boldly displayed because it speaks of the works you have been doing, not only for Red Cross but also for Rotary, Cancer Society, Diabetes, Alzheimers' [Association] and all the others.'

Unveiling the plaque in honour of the long-serving volunteer, Mrs Jaspert said, "Well deserved, you have done so much over the years and honouring you in this way is most fitting."

Public relations & fundraising


BVI Red Cross Chairman Geoffrey Brooks thanked Ms Wenzke for her commitment to humanitarianism in the Virgin Islands and for her work as a volunteer for BVI Red Cross for over 31 years.

“Her range of activities has covered every facet of our organisation,” Mr Brooks said, adding that Wenzke's speciality has been public relations and fundraising.

He credited Ms Wenzke for organising the first-ever BVI Red Cross fundraiser in 1998, at the Governor’s House.

The Chairman also spoke about Ms Wenzke’s career of charity, which included volunteering for the BVI Cancer Society, BVI Diabetes Association, BVI Ambassadors, Friends of the National Archives, the Lions Club, and the Rotary Club.

BVI Red Cross Director Stacy C. Lloyd commented: "She’s our historian, she’s our biggest cheerleader.”

In her response, the surprised honouree Ms Wenzke said she was very honoured and proud. She went on to give the gathering a brief history of the Red Cross and acknowledged Mrs Margaret Borde for being an integral part of the organisation’s establishment.

Melvin Jones Fellow


In addition to yesterday's honour, Ms Wenzke was previously honoured by the Lions Club with a Melvin Jones Fellow for outstanding humanitarian services; the Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellowship Award for services to humanity, and she was sworn in as the German Honourary Consul to the Virgin Islands.

The mission of the British Virgin Islands Red Cross is to mobilise the power of humanity so that individuals and communities have the capacity to prepare for, deal with and recover from crisis.The BVI Red Cross was established in 1956. The Red Cross Movement is a volunteer based international humanitarian organisation.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
×