New Ambulance for Ottery

Ottery St Mary and District League of Friends were so successful with their latest fund-raising effort that they were able to buy a brand new disabled passenger ambulance, rather than a refurbished second hand one!

"We were aiming to raise £25,000, but we did so well, we decided to keep going until we reached £35,000 and could buy a new vehicle," explains Dr Graham Ward, Chairman of the League.

"The ambulance is used throughout the district taking people to swimming sessions and day centres as well as being available for other groups to use" explains Graham. "We want to help people who are ill in their own homes as well as those directly involved with hospital. We will do our best to help anyone who needs a hand with transportation."

The old ambulance wasn't wasted either. It was loaded up with surplus stock, medical supplies and computer equipment and is now travelling around Cuba.

Paul Archer, a staff nurse from Ottery St Mary visited Cuba last year on a trip arranged by The Nursing Times and Unison. He heard the appeal for ambulances, buses and supplies and asked the League of Friends for the old vehicle. Paul not only drove the ambulance to Liverpool docks for the sea journey but also met up with it in Cuba and drove it to a paediatric hospital in Havana. The bus and its contents are now being put to good use.

Challenge Issue 27 – September 1999