ST John Ambulance has two new additions to its fleet of vehicles thanks to an £80,000 donation from the Lord Cockfield Trust.
The donation has paid for a brand new £67,000 ambulance, which replaces an 11 year old vehicle, and a Companion Plus vehicle which will be used to transport St John Ambulance members and equipment.
Both vehicles were blessed yesterday (Thursday) in a special service by Reverend Peter Upton-Jones, the St John Ambulance Isle of Man County Chaplain, at the organisations headquarters in Glencrutchery Road, Douglas.
Eddie Lowey MLC, a trustee of the Lord Cockfield Trust, spoke at the event. He said: "I know from personal experience the sterling work that's done by St John Ambulance all year.
"When the trust comes to make decisions this was one of the easy ones. In my view this is an investment that I know Lord Cockfield would have approved of."
St John Ambulance is the Island's largest life-saving charity and provides cover for events such as the TT, Manx Grand Prix and Tynwald Day. The charity also attends many other occasions year round including sporting, agricultural and charity events and church and school fairs.
Volunteer fundraiser Pam Crowe added: "It is wonderful to receive this gift which is not only for this year but will carry on serving us for at least 10 years. We now have a multipurpose vehicle that will serve as a first aid post, people carrier and in times of need a rapid response vehicle. We are really indebted to the Lord Cockfield Trust."
The new ambulance is based on a Peugeot Boxer van chassis and is fitted out to St John Ambulance specification so that volunteers from other countries are familiar with the layout and kit should they come to the Island.
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."
Lord 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 in the Island.
For further information on St John Ambulance in the Isle of Man click here.
Picture caption: L to R – Chairman of St John Ambulance Professor Roger Berry, Commander of St John Ambulance IOM Dr Iain Kewley, Eddie Lowey MLC, volunteer Pamela Crowe and the Reverend Peter Upton-Jones at the blessing and dedication ceremony
