A new ambulance has taken to the road with St John Ambulance Isle of Man livery thanks to a generous ?80,000 donation from the Lord Cockfield Trust. The Crusader vehicle was blessed and dedicated today in a ceremony at St John Ambulance Isle of Man headquarters in Glencrutchery Road, Douglas. The donation enables the replacement of an 11-year-old vehicle, the oldest in St John Ambulance Isle of Man’s fleet of three, which lacks some characteristics needed in a modern ambulance. It is vital St John Ambulance Isle of Man, the Island’s largest life-saving charity, maintains three ambulances when providing round the clock cover for events such as the TT, Manx Grand Prix and Tynwald Day. The charity also attends a host of other occasions, all year round, including sporting, agricultural and charity events, church and school fairs etc. The new ambulance is based on a Peugeot Boxer van chassis and boasts the latest equipment to minimise manual handling of patients, meaning they can be safely transported with the minimum physical effort. It is fitted out to standard St John Ambulance specification, so when volunteers from other counties visit to swell the ranks of volunteers at TT and MGP they are familiar with its layout and kit. The vehicle cost ?67,000 to buy, convert and fully equip. The donation also allowed the purchase of a Companion Plus vehicle, a people carrier, which will be used to transport personnel and equipment to major events, converts into a mini first aid unit, can be used to ferry about Badgers and Cadets and can be employed for training and public relations purposes. Dr Iain Kewley, Commander of St John Ambulance in the Isle of Man, said: ‘We are grateful to the Lord Cockfield Trust for supporting us by funding the purchase of a new ambulance. The vehicle will allow us to continue to provide high quality care for the people of the Island in their leisure and in support of the Isle of Man Ambulance and Paramedic Service. ‘While its busiest periods will be during TT and MGP, it will be providing service throughout the year and helping us to make the difference. ‘Pamela Crowe, the charity's fundraising lead, was instrumental in securing the valued donation from the Lord Cockfield Trust.’ Lord (Arthur) Cockfield was a former managing director and chairman of Boots who became a Conservative front-bench politician and went on to serve as a European Commissioner in the 1980s. He had a deep affection for the Isle of Man and he and his late wife, Lady Monica, are buried here. Money he left in trust after his death in 2007, aged 90, has greatly benefited a number of charities on the Island. Eddie Lowey MLC, chairman of the trustees of the Lord Cockfield Trust and a long-time friend, said he and fellow trustee Mrs Diana Rawstron were delighted to oversee the donation. ‘The ongoing work of St John Ambulance, especially with young people, deserves generous support from everyone,’ he said. ‘The ambulance and companion vehicle will allow the bespoke service of St John Ambulance to be undertaken in a professional and efficient manner.’ Mr Lowey said: ‘This donation is one of many that the Lord and Lady Cockfield Trusts have contributed to many local charities, organisations and individuals. The late Lord Cockfield would be delighted to be supporting this great organisation. We wish everyone concerned with St John Ambulance continuing success.’ Today’s blessing and dedication were carried out by the Reverend Peter Upton-Jones, St John Ambulance Isle of Man County Chaplain. For further information on St John Ambulance Isle of Man or to find out how to sign up for a first aid course or how to support its work, visit http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/counties/isle-of-man.aspx -ENDS-