Icelandic President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson and First Lady Eliza Reid formally launched a fundraising effort of Icelandic rescue teams, ICE-SAR, yesterday. At Smáralind shopping center in Kópavogur, they sold the traditional key ring of ICE-SAR, in the shape of a male rescue worker, for ISK 2,000 (USD 18, EUR 16) apiece. The sale went well, and the president emphasized the importance of supporting our rescue volunteers all over the country.
Icelanders are known for enjoying playing with words, and the annual fundraising effort is no exception. It goes by the name Neyðarkall, which, interestingly, has a double meaning. It means emergency call, but also emergency worker.
First Lady Eliza Reid. Photo: ICE-SAR.
This year’s Emergency Worker is armed with a shovel and rope, essential equipment for rescue workers. Every year, they are called out hundreds of times to assist people in trouble due to bad weather and impassable roads. Emergency volunteers are always ready, in any weather, when the call arrives.
The fundraising effort continues through tomorrow, Saturday. This is ICE-SAR’s most important fundraiser, taking place this year for the eleventh time.
This year’s Emergency Worker. Photo: ICE-SAR.
