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Buckinghamshire County Priory Group
Judy Wright (Chairman), John Williams (County President)
Clive Harrington, Vincent Smith, Ken Roberts, Elizabeth Howe
Tony Simmons, Linda Allen (Hon. Secretary).
We have all of us in the County Priory Group been members of St John for many years (even decades!) but none of us has seen St John Ambulance called upon to play such an important role in the frontline battle against such a powerful and distressing enemy. From the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, our volunteers have offered their services in support of the NHS.
Since the beginning of April we have given over 47,000 hours treating and transporting patients in ambulances, more than 74,000 hours caring for patients in hospital emergency departments (in Buckinghamshire we are supporting Wexham Park and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals), 27,000 plus hours of support for community projects including caring for homeless people, supporting cancer patients and assisting with more than 70,000 blood donations. We have also given over 3,000 hours of first aid support for the return of sporting events. The effort continues as England learns to live with the pandemic.
First Aid Training and Event Cover, our two main sources of income which disappeared with lockdown are starting again in a much reduced form and it is probable that activity may take more than a year to reach pre-coronavirus levels. Our financial situation is still therefore extremely challenging. In order to be able to continue with our essential life saving work not only now but for the future, we really need your help. Our national Emergency Appeal to raise the necessary funds to enable us to do that continues and we would be most grateful for any support you can give. Thank you to everyone who has donated funds to the Appeal, particularly those who have given anonymously and whom therefore we cannot thank personally. You are all helping us to carry on making a difference and saving lives.