Cranleigh second in fundraising contest

The nation’s leading first aid charity relies on donations, fundraising and public support to teach life saving skills, equip and train volunteers, and to raise awareness of the importance of first aid.

In 2015, each St John Ambulance unit across the South East had the opportunity to take on a challenge to raise money to support the charity’s work, with units competing against each other to take the top spot.

With final amounts submitted and pennies counted, the Cranleigh volunteers were placed second, raising £3,523.00, and were only just pipped to the post by Oxfordshire’s Kidlington Unit where the volunteers raised £3,595.25.

The Cranleigh volunteers have received excellent support from the local community during their fundraising efforts. As trained first aiders the team has continued to provide free training to support the village’s public access defibrillator scheme. Many groups and residents showed their gratitude to the volunteers by making a donation. Sainsbury’s in Cranleigh also chose St John Ambulance as the store’s charity of year.

Gerry McAteer, unit manager, said: “I’d like to thank the residents of Cranleigh for their generosity and support in helping us raise so much during 2015. We’ve been delighted to provide first aid training on the defibrillators, which could prove to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved. We’re also very grateful to Sainsbury’s in Cranleigh for choosing to support St John Ambulance last year.”

Amber Woodward, regional fundraising coordinator, added: “Well done to all the volunteers at Cranleigh who just missed taking the top spot by a few pounds - a great effort and truly inspiring. I wish them all the best for this year’s challenge.”

Cranleigh St John Ambulance is looking for more people locally to become volunteer first aider with the Adult Unit (18+). No previous experience is necessary as all training is provided.

Anyone interested in joining is welcome to pop into St John House, Littlemead Industrial Estate, on a Tuesday evening at 8pm to find out more, or call Gerry McAteer, Unit Manager, on 07766 733680.

Visit www.sja.org.uk for more about St John Ambulance.