First aid for 1,000 cyclists

Cyclists

St John Ambulance Hampshire has just taken on its largest first aid duty – in terms of both distance and area covered. The volunteer first aiders will be looking after around 1,000 cyclists in two simultaneous bike rides in Hampshire on Sunday 10 May 2009.

Massive organisational feat

The Hampshire Hilly Hundred, which starts and finishes at Sparsholt College, is a 100-mile ride for experienced cyclists keen to climb the county’s hills.

We are really delighted to have been chosen for these events

Richard Curtis
Deputy Commissioner Operations, St John Ambulance Hampshire
Southampton-based charity the Sailors’ Society has organised sponsored family rides around Mayflower Park, with the option of either 25-mile or 45-mile round trips as far as Stockbridge for more ambitious cyclists.

St John Ambulance Hampshire will provide first aid for both events – a massive organisational feat involving a call centre, and roving ambulance and first aid posts.

Duty Officer Richard Curtis said: ‘This is the largest first aid duty we have ever undertaken in Hampshire! It involves meticulous planning to ensure our ambulances and first aiders are in the right place, at the right time according to each cycle ride.

‘We are really delighted to have been chosen for these events and are looking forward to an amazing day!’

St John Ambulance Hampshire expects to deploy six ambulances, two response cars, two cycle responders, two nurses, 14 first aiders and a call centre at the charity’s Hampshire headquarters.

It is a busy weekend for the charity which is also providing first aid at 25 other events including the Solent Boat Jumble, South East Regional Schools Triathlon and the Alton 10 mile road race.