Lord Mayor's 'thirst aid'
St John Ambulance launched the West
Midlands leg of their national fundraiser, The BIG Tea Cosy, recently and welcomed along
the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Michael Wilkes, and the
Lady Mayoress, Mrs Vivienne Wilkes, to drop in for a cup of tea and
a slice of cake with a number of the organisation's first aid
volunteers.
The event sparks a month-long community fundraising
campaign involving both members of the public and St John
Ambulance units staging their own fundraisers
around the West Midlands.
Regional units will be opening their doors to the
public for an informal chat as they raise crucial funds
for the organisations life saving work around the area.
These funds are crucial as St John Ambulance relies on donations so we can provide care to those that need it the most.
Keith Hunter
County President
All raised funds will go directly to the specific unit in each
region, to help ensure that the
high level of equipment and
training that goes into planning a high profile duty like
the Birmingham Half Marathon or carnival is maintained to the
correct standard.
Vital role
Attending the opening was County President Keith Hunter as well
as a number of St John youth members, including Old Oscott
Badgers (5-10 year-olds) Jenna Harbord, Alex
Langdell, Alex Wilson, Beth Cope and James Cope, accompanied by
unit leader, Vicki Smith.
Cadet members Amy Dobson, 13, and Abbie O’Grady,
13, from Bournbrook Combined Cadets attended, along with a number
of Fellowship
members who have a vital role in supporting the work of the
organisation.
County President Keith Hunter said: 'These funds are
crucial as St John Ambulance relies on donations so we can
provide care to those that need it the most. Our 40,000 volunteers
treat 124,000 people each year and help some of the most
vulnerable people in society.'
Jacky Rattue for St John Ambulance also said: 'We are so pleased
the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress could join us today to make this a
truly special occasion and would like to thank the Edwardian Tea
Room for having us here and allowing us to fundraise over the next
two weeks.'
Get involved
Members of the public are welcome to get involved and tea party
hosts can request a fundraising pack which will contain everything
needed to get the party started. Containing fun ideas, recipes from
world class chefs Fergus Henderson and Mark Hix, invitations,
posters and more, it will help your day to be as successful as
possible.