LOCAL TT rider Conor Cummins has become St John Ambulance's first official "friend".
The Isle of Man branch of the lifesaving charity made the Ramsey rider the first honorary Friend of St John Ambulance today (February 2).
Conor has lent his support to the charity as part of a new campaign to encourage local people to become a friend, and help raise vital funds, for just £10 per year.
All of the money raised through the initiative will be used to help meet the charity's running costs which are £300,000 a year or £822 per day.
Dr Iain Kewley, the commander of St John Ambulance, explained: "How often do you get the chance to save a life for £10?
"All monies raised by the Friends of St John Ambulance will be used to save lives by keeping our first aid volunteers equipped when on duty, supporting our community first responders and teaching the public how to deal with emergencies.
"As our national slogan goes please help us to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved."
Conor, who at 25 has secured three podium places in the TT, said he was "privileged" to be made a friend of the charity.
He said: "I've been on the receiving end of medical attention before from St John Ambulance especially when I was a lot younger and I was riding in the local events. I'd fall of my bike and they'd be straight on the scene looking after me.
"It's all well and good to expect these guys to turn up on a rainy day or a Sunday and expect them to dress you up. It's easy enough to walk away but you've got to put something back and it makes perfect sense to put something back in from my end.
"I feel privileged to be asked to come onboard and be a Friend of St John Ambulance."
It costs St John Ambulance Isle of Man £15,000 per year to run each of its two ambulances and £2,250 to equip each community first responder in the Island.
The charity's only sources of income are the money it makes from delivering commercial first aid training, charges for first aid cover at non charitable events and legacies it receives from members of the public.
Conor continued: "I think it would be probably one of the most worthwhile ten pounds you will ever spend in your life.
"You never know when you might need it. It is a fantastic cause and I think more and more people need to get behind something like this to raise more awareness of it. It doesn't run itself and you need funding to do it.
"I think they (St John Ambulance) are massively important. They are involved in all angles and aspects of life. I just think it's mega – you'd miss it if you didn't have it."
If you would like to become a Friend of St John Ambulance for £10 a year please contact the membership secretary on 01624 674387 or by e-mailing ceo@sja.org.im.
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