The latest ambulance to join the Exmouth St John Ambulance charity was dedicated at a ceremony in Beach Gardens on Sunday, September 2. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref exe 0576-36-12AW. To order your copy of this photograph, go to www.exmouthjournal.co.uk and click on myphotos24

Exmouth’s branch of St John Ambulance is celebrating the arrival of its new 4x4 ambulance after years of tireless fundraising.

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These photographs show how patience paid off for the Exmouth branch of St John Ambulance, which has taken delivery of a new ambulance after years of fundraising.

The new 4x4 vehicle for frontline use was officially handed over at a dedication ceremony at Exmouth Beach Gardens, where Reverend James Hutching led the service.

Sheeree Hatch, superintendant of the adult division, was given the honour of accepting the keys to the new vehicle from David Nicholson.

Mr Nicholson’s parents, Sidney and Crystal Nicholson, had been heavily involved with St John Ambulance and the voluntary service thought it fitting he should hand over the keys.

His mother had been interested in the charity since the age of three, when she was included in the dedication of the town’s first ambulance.

Her father, William Perriam, was one of the founding members of the Exmouth branch.

The new ambulance will be used across neighbouring divisions if the need arises.

In 2009 Palmers Funeral Services in Budleigh Salterton joined forces with the St John Ambulance Exmouth branch in raising funds for the new vehicle.