CARING voluntary members of Exmouth s St John Ambulance have issued an appeal to help them purchase a new vehicle. The town s division want to raise �40,000 so they can buy a second-hand vehicle which will be converted into a 4x4 to be used for front-line medical use

CARING voluntary members of Exmouth's St John Ambulance have issued an appeal to help them purchase a new vehicle.

The town's division want to raise �40,000 so they can buy a second-hand vehicle which will be converted into a 4x4 to be used for front-line medical use.

St John Ambulance is the UK's leading first aid charity which has 44,000 volunteers across the country.

Stuart Brown, superintendent at the Exmouth group, said they currently had an ambulance, mini bus and 4x4 but the latter needed changing because it had proved to be expensive to run.

Mr Brown, 45, of Knowle Road, Budleigh Salterton, hoped a new vehicle would be in place for them to use by the end of September.

"The good thing about St John Ambulance is its local people helping other local people," he said.

"Our station is one of the busiest in Devon. Last weekend, for instance, our members attended the fairway swim, a church fun day in Manor Gardens and the D-Day commemorations.

"Although that is busy - it is not untypical that we have lots of people out on Saturday and Sundays."

The Exmouth Journal will work with the town's St John Ambulance branch to try and achieve the �40,000 target by launching a 'help us help you' campaign.

Mr Brown said it would be good if clubs such as swimming groups got involved and maybe held regattas where the proceeds went towards the vehicle fundraiser.

"I also hope that businesses support our campaign and donate. The key thing for us being successful is whether or not the community get behind it.

"Most people's perception of St John Ambulance is the medical equivalent of the characters in the BBC's Dads Army comedy show.

"But being part of St John Ambulance we attend a number of functions and events ranging from motor sport competitions, music concerts to festivals.

"Our members go and do numerous medical courses. They are able to use oxygen and analgesic gas and their all-round knowledge is far more advanced that what people realise.