First aid for all seasons
The nation's transport services may have
been brought to a standstill, but St John Ambulance
continues to be the difference during this latest
spell of bad weather.
Gripped by the second 'Big Freeze' in almost as many weeks, the
first aid charity has once again been providing
care, ambulance services and hope to people across the country.
Thousands queue in freezing conditions
Earlier this week, at St Pancras station thousands were left
stranded due to Eurostar delays and cancellations. Eight St
John Ambulance first aiders and two mobile treatment
centres were on site. Eight people were treated,
one was taken to hospital and blankets were given to those
suffering the effects of the cold.
'Many people had been standing out in the cold for several hours
and it's understandable that Eurostar wanted to make sure they’re
properly looked after,' said Ann Cable, Commissioner of St John
Ambulance in London.
Volunteers will continue to be on duty until
they are not needed.
St John Ambulance responds across the nation
These efforts are being replicated by St John Ambulance
volunteers across the country.
At the weekend, in Oxfordshire, Cycle
Responders cycled through snowy conditions in
Oxford city centre to provide initial assessment and treatment
while ambulance crews, who would normally perform these tasks,
struggled to get through the snow to reach them.
Notthinghamshire's Cycle Response Unit is
providing first aid to shoppers in Notthingham city centre. In
Sussex ambulance support has been provided to
SECAmb, one patient needing transportation so he could receive
life saving dialysis.
To cope with festivities associated with this time of year
special centres have been set up in
Derbyshire and Northamptonshire.
St John Ambulance has joined forces with police, pastors and
various other groups to provide a safe haven where
first aid can be sought, crimes reported, taxis booked, or where
people can simply take a break from their big nights' out.
While a combination of bad weather and Christmas revelry puts
pressure on this country's infrastructure and services, St John
Ambulance will continue to fill the gap and
be the difference.