Cycle Team in high profile company at leading show

Keen cyclists from across the UK had a chance to learn more about London District's award-winning Cycle Response Unit (CRU) at the 2010 Cycle Show in Earl’s Court.

The enormously popular event, which opened its doors to the public on Friday 8th October to Sunday 10 October, saw the Cycle Response Unit in the company of countless world cycling brands, cycling celebrities like Rebecca Romero and Lord Sugar – star of the apprentice and keen cyclist – who opened the show.

The  CRU provides emergency first aid that compliments the operational role of St John Ambulance in the communities that it serves across the Capital. Throughout 2010 it has made the difference to countless lives and been first-on-scene at incidents such as serious stabbings and other life threatening situations. 

One of the unit's specially equipped mountain bicycles – used to carry advanced first aid equipment such as an Automated External Defibrillator and medical gases – was on display throughout the weekend, along with a range of training aids and equipment used by the unit. 

Ashley Sweetland, who leads operational cycling for St John Ambulance, said: 'We are really pleased to be present at the Cycle Show this year. 

'It's an opportunity for us to share information on the life-saving work of St John Ambulance, along with demonstrating our commitment to cycling to the huge number of visitors. We plan to use the opportunity to show the public how first aid training can make the difference between a life lost and life saved.'

All CRU volunteers are highly trained and meet the National Cycling Standards and undertake the Public Safety Cycling Advanced Training Course.

The unit has operated at over 150 events in 2010 across London, from the Virgin London Marathon and Tour de France to the Hyde Park Concerts, the Freewheel and Sky ride, Pride London and marches including G20 and Climate Change rallies as well as many local events in boroughs across London.