The focus may be on the Grandstand, which is the hub of activity during TT fortnight, but just across Glencrutchery Road at St John Ambulance headquarters, volunteers from all walks of life gather to perform a vital role in the running of the races. St John Ambulance is part of the team of medical professionals and volunteers that provides safety cover for the 37.73 mile Mountain course, going to the aid of injured riders and spectators. Its ambulances and trained first aiders staff 13 points around the course, 60 of its front-line volunteers devoting more than 2,500 hours to the TT. Add to that the cover it provides for the vast number of fringe events that take place and the races represent by far the biggest commitment of the year for the Island’s largest life-saving charity. The locations of St John Ambulance volunteers are agreed with the races’ Medical Director, Dr David Stevens. The charity’s volunteers sign on as marshals but can be distinguished from the ‘orange army’ by their yellow and green vests. St John Ambulance leaves nothing to chance. Everything is thought of in advance – from agreeing where they will park on arrival at the course to ensuring they have plentiful supplies of suncream and midge repellent. Once in position, St John Ambulance crews work with deputy sector marshals to check vital equipment, such as scoop stretchers and headblocks, for stabilising patients with neck injuries, are in position, confirm that medical boxes are intact and familiarise themselves with where an Airmed helicopter will land if it flies to aid an injured rider. The Chief Medical Officer notifies Gary Christian, St John Ambulance’s Public Duty Officer, of any delays or other changes to schedules and he communicates them to members all around the course. All volunteers are trained on the TT Marshals’ Association incident management course, which St John Ambulance helps to deliver, both locally and in the UK and Ireland. The Island ranks are, by necessity, bolstered by volunteers from other St John Ambulance counties who, like locals, give up their hard-earned holidays to provide first aid cover for the biggest road racing event in the world. Visiting volunteers are required to hold St John Ambulance’s most advanced qualification, that of emergency transport attendant. Gary first recruited help from Merseyside, where he worked in a hospital A&E department. So successful was this that the charity now advertises nationwide and there is a fantastic response, with St John Ambulance volunteers travelling to the Island from all over the UK. Geoff Willis, Operations Manager with Bedfordshire St John Ambulance, assisted with volunteers’ training and, in 2007, followed in the footsteps of his father, who attended the TT in the 1930s, when he came over to help. ‘Since that Centenary TT I have been back every year and the atmosphere is always welcoming, from the team from “over the water”, local members and marshals,’ Geoff said. ‘I have been lucky to see some fantastic racing and have fortunately only had to treat one rider on the circuit, a sidecar passenger who fell off at speed but luckily had only minor injuries.’ Voirrey Matthews, Leader of Ramsey Combined Division, has volunteered at the TT since the mid-1990s and will be at Creg-ny-Baa again this year. She said: ‘It’s two weeks out of the year when the Island gets to show the world what it has to offer and that we can support a festival of this size and magnitude. ‘Being part of St John Ambulance allows me to indulge two passions in my life – bikes and helping people. We always say St John Ambulance is a family and TT fortnight proves this. We have visiting members from all across the UK and it's like we've known them forever. We get to work with people we have never worked with before and take the opportunity to learn new methods and make long-lasting friendships.’ With dozens of visitors to accommodate, St John Ambulance headquarters is turned into a giant hostel where volunteers stay and are fed and watered before and after stints on the course. The building is also bustling with local volunteers ensuring that all duties are covered and all equipment is on hand. It’s no wonder, then, that planning for the TT is a year-round job for St John Ambulance, with training delivered, volunteers recruited, travel booked, stocks of first aid materials replenished and radios charged up …all ready for the busiest two weeks of the year. However, it’s not all hard work for St John Ambulance volunteers. Gary, who did his first TT 29 years ago at the age of 11, explained: ‘The social side is part of the reward, as is being able to help someone in time of need. ‘We enjoy the best road racing in the world from the best view available with the best colleagues anyone could wish for.’ For further information about volunteering with St John Ambulance Isle of Man or to find out how to sign up for first aid courses or to support its work via donations, please ring 01624 674387 or visit www.sja.org.uk/counties/isleofman - Ends -