We urgently need your help to buy a Community Support Unit (CSU) Vehicle for St John Ambulance volunteers in Essex.

St John Ambulance has always been a critical part of our community here in Essex. During the pandemic our dedicated volunteers went above and beyond to support the over-stretched NHS providing additional ambulances and volunteer ambulance crews as well as training many local St John Ambulance vaccination volunteers. St John Ambulance volunteers work in a number of ways to support the local community - as vaccinators, patient advocates and patient supporters, providers of essential first-aid support at public events and giving life-saving First Aid training to hundreds of people. We need your help to fund a long-term investment in St John Ambulance’s capacity to help create healthier, safer and more resilient communities here in Essex.

Being easily accessible within local communities is key to our mission, and this is underlined by the brand-new vehicle St John Ambulance has developed, specifically to offer adaptable first aid services to the public – the ‘Community Support Unit’.

Every detail of the new vehicle has been designed around our volunteers, ensuring they have instant access to the lifesaving tools they need.

The Community Support Units are spacious four-wheel drive vehicles. They are suitable for all terrains and large enough for up to six volunteers to travel together to an event. The van will also carry first aid kitbags as well as equipment which can be quickly removed from the van to set up a covered first aid post. The outer design provides an easily recognisable first aid base.

The CSU also contains facilities essential to enable rapid and safe response from our busy volunteers! Improving the environment for our volunteers means improving the quality of our provision to all those who need us.

Each fully-equipped CSU costs £75,000.

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