Thieves deal St John Ambulance 'major blow' (From Bucks Free Press)

Thieves deal St John Ambulance 'major blow'

2:50pm Sunday 29th November 2009 in News By James Nadal

THIEVES have dealt a “major blow” to St John Ambulance after stealing a caravan and medical equipment worth thousands of pounds.

The mobile treatment unit, used by volunteers at events such as Marlow Town Regatta was taken just before a major fireworks display, it was revealed this week.

It was stolen between the evening of November 5 and late afternoon November 6.

It contained kit which will cost £1,500 to replace - not including oxygen and entanox gas cylinders.

The caravan, which was donated by Marlow Round Table, is likely to set the service back about another £2,000.

Volunteers were shocked to discover the vehicle, which was secured with anti-theft clamps, had disappeared just as they were preparing for the Guy Fawkes event at Burford School in Marlow Bottom.

It was used to carry medical equipment and as a place to attend to injured or sick patients as well as shelter volunteers in bad weather.

Clive Harrington, county director of St John's Ambulance, said: “It's a considerable blow to Marlow, the annoying thing is they now have to put all their fund-raising efforts into this.

“I think it's hit the morale of the volunteers at Marlow particularly hard and the thousands it will cost is a major blow to us at a time where every penny is vital.

“I think all too often St John's is taken for granted and we're there to pick up the pieces.”

Graham Innes, divisional officer at the Marlow branch, said:“It's not the sort of thing you could park on your driveway people would say 'what's that doing there?'”

The vehicle was emblazoned with St John's Ambulance and Marlow Round Table's emblems.

Mr Innes said: “It will be ten weekends worth of volunteering to just replace the contents of the vehicle lead them to the vehicle.

“It's frustrating, obviously we go to great lengths to fund raise to provide a service to the community that has been disrupted.

“I can't understand why anyone would want to do it.”

He added: “We will get by but the level of service we can provide has been diminished and especially in these economic times we find it difficult to raise money.”

Round Table vice-chairman Andy Townsend, said he was saddened to hear of the theft.

“I struggle to understand the minds of people who would take such a valuable asset from the community,” he said.

“Many events they attend couldn’t take part without the support of the St John’s volunteers who give up their free time and expertise to help people at a time when they need it most.”

The organisation is due to provide first aid next in Higginson Park at the Marlow Santa Fun Run on December 6.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Sarah Clarke said: “It's an identifiable vehicle so if anyone has seen it in a place they wouldn't expect we would like to hear from them.”

If you have any information call 0845 8 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

To contact St Johns Ambulance or find out about becoming a volunteer call County HQ at Aylesbury - 01296 744360 or visit www.sja.org.uk.

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St John Ambulance factfile:

- St John Ambulance is a charity, part of the wider international Order of St. John, dedicated to the teaching and practice of medical first aid.

- It provides first aid treatment to thousands of public events across the country - There are nearly 1,000 St John Ambulance volunteers in Buckinghamshire and 40,000 nationally, with more than half the members are under 25 years old.

- It is the leading first aid training provider in the UK and the third largest youth organisation, training around 575,000 people each year and provides treatment and care to 125,000 patients yearly - many of whom are in life-threatening situations.

- It has more than 1,000 ambulance and support vehicles and regularly provides a support service to the NHS Ambulance Trusts.