Mark Arnot

Cycle responder

For someone, who previous to joining St John Ambulance had never heard of the organisation, Mark Arnot has certainly made his mark. 

Mark has been with St John for just five years but six months ago felt there was a need in rural Gloucestershire (his home) for a cycle responder unit.  Mark set about putting a case together for setting up a unit to put to the county management team. 

Mark said 'the area I live in is pretty rural and I felt that a CR unit would be well worth setting up. County headquarters gave us support and the unit has now been running for about six months with 12 Members.'

So far, the unit has already dealt with various situations when they've attended events such as the Cheltenham races.  

Mark explains 'At a local fair we picked up a call and quickly got to the patient who was suffering from an angina attack.  The lady who was with the gentleman having the attack couldn't believe it when we turned up; she said she had put the phone down and in about 5 seconds we had arrived, she was so pleased.'

Mark continues 'It's great to know we're helping the local community.  We're a 12 strong team now but we're always looking out for more members. The team is also looking to attract volunteers from outside St John to join specifically to undertake cycle responding. It's definitely a case of the more the merrier.'