HRH Countess of Wessex supported the launch of an urgent appeal for funds to buy new St John Ambulances for the Isle of Wight at a special tea party at Haseley Manor in Arreton on Thursday 9th July.

Earlier in the day the Countess shared lunch with children and staff members when she visited St Catherine’s School in Ventnor. The school specialises in working with children and young people with speech, language and communication disabilities, The Countess met children and young people taking part in learning, therapy and vocational training sessions.

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On her arrival at Hasley Manor, Chairman of the Council of St John Ambulance, Randal Cross greeted the Countess before introducing her to Chief President of St John Ambulance, the Hon Virginnia Lovell County President, Sam Twining Commander for the IOW, Rev Malcolm Jones Owner of Haseley Manor Anthony and Vivian Roberts as volunteers for SJA.

The Binstead Badger’s, were represented by Georgia Holmes when she presented the Countess with a small posy.

The Countess, who is Grand President of St John Ambulance, spent the afternoon taking a closer look at the varied roles of volunteers, as young and old showed off the skills that have created real support for villages, businesses and events across the Isle of Wight. Badgers and Cadets showed her how they are now trained using professional equipment and gallons of fake blood!

Although the busy charity has several centres on the Island, there are just three ambulances to cover all our needs, and one of them really needs to retire. Islanders have already raised £30,000 towards the cost of one new vehicle, but they still need another £50,000 to provide the modern kit to equip it.

Known as the UK’s leading first aid charity, St John Ambulance has an army of volunteers. More than half of the members are aged 25 or under and here on the Isle of Wight, they are sharing skills and supporting local, rural communities and businesses, in addition to the headline events like Bestival and the IOW Festival.

Did You Know?

• There are St John Ambulance crews based in villages across the Isle of Wight in Bembridge, Newport, Binstead, Wroxall, Sandown and Shanklin.
• On the island the St John’s Ambulance Trained Volunteers gave up more than 28,000 hours of time last year alone, in order to support the social and cultural life here. Some are First Responders – trained and providing vital support for the Island’s Ambulance Service.
• Six of the Island’s St John Ambulance volunteers were given awards last year for a total of more than 207 years service.

A recent survey by St John Ambulance of more than 1,550 primary and secondary children at schools across the country found that:

• 69% of school children wouldn’t know how to treat a friend or loved one who needed first aid
• 72% of these children would like to learn first aid
• Crucially, given the current image of young people in society, 8 out of 10 pupils surveyed felt that the public would think more highly of them if they knew first aid.
• More than half the members are in the Youth division with Badgers aged 5 to 10 and Cadets aged 10 to 18. Their training isn’t confined to basic First Aid but has been extended to include computer and radio communication skills.
• St John Ambulance is not an amateur operation but a fully trained team of volunteer specialists without whom the cultural and social life of the Isle of Wight simply couldn’t function.

To support the appeal or find out more about St John Ambulance on the Isle of Wight Tel: (01983) 822794 or email: operations@isleofwight.sja.org.uk