Gambia News : Generous ambulance donation

Nov 19,2007 00:00 by lamin

A GENEROUS team of volunteers is donating two ambulances to the Gambia Health Service.
Members of Wessex Ambulance Service, based in Factory Lane, near Highbridge, decided to give two vehicles to Gambia and Avon Fire Service in Partnership (GAFSIP).

Wessex Ambulance Service is a small charity staffed by unpaid volunteers. The group provides ambulance cover for sporting events such as the summer Burnham Triathlon and ambulance journeys not covered by the NHS.

Member Godfrey Horler said: "We recently decided to replace two of our old Ford Transit ambulances regarding them as scrap. But then I suggested donating to the organisation which would probably be able to find a use for them."

The ambulances will be heading off to Gambia on December 28 from Bristol.

Before their international journey, the two ambulances will be given a full service by mechanics training at Ashfield Young Offenders Institute in Pucklechurch, who regularly support GAFSIP.

They will then be driven by GAFSIP volunteers in The Plymouth Banjul Challenge by two Avon Fire Service personnel.

The challenge has been held every year since 2003. Teams are asked to drive 'limited budget' vehicles which are then given to good causes.

Once the ambulances have made their 3,500mile trip they will be used by villagers in Gambia.