St. John Ambulance

WildwoodPaul

Well-Known Forumite
Hi,

I fancied a debate around St John Ambulance (SJA) and was mainly reminded as JC is raising money for them (sorry you just reminded me of something that has been in my mind for a while), I probably just need correcting.......

So, if I want SJA to come and cover say a street party, SJA will charge me to come and do that. If I want first aid training from SJA they will charge me. If West Midlands Ambulance require a SJA vehicle, they charge them.

Where does the money go that kind folks donate to SJA?

Paul
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
Interesting fact about St. Johns -

The last crusading outfit after the dissolution of the Knights Templar, the Knights Hospitaller in a Protestant guise.
 

Mr J C

Well-Known Forumite
I think the work that SJA do is worthwhile, they rely heavily on donations to keep things like the local community buses they run going - all driven by volunteers if I remember rightly plus their invaluable expertise in 1st aid means that the emegency services can concentrate on their own job. If the likes of SJA and Red Cross didn't provide their services you would not be able to attend gigs, football matches and other events - all manned by volunteers. So having them paid for by organisers is well worth the money me thinks........but then I am biased :)
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
I think they only charge because it costs - if you know what i mean - but coverage of the kind they provide is not optional.
 

Mr J C

Well-Known Forumite
Withnail said:
I think they only charge because it costs - if you know what i mean - but coverage of the kind they provide is not optional.
strangely enough I do!!
 

Jade-clothing

Well-Known Forumite
WildwoodPaul said:
Hi,

I fancied a debate around St John Ambulance (SJA) and was mainly reminded as JC is raising money for them (sorry you just reminded me of something that has been in my mind for a while), I probably just need correcting.......

So, if I want SJA to come and cover say a street party, SJA will charge me to come and do that. If I want first aid training from SJA they will charge me. If West Midlands Ambulance require a SJA vehicle, they charge them.

Where does the money go that kind folks donate to SJA?

Paul
Hi Paul
If you would like more info I can put you in touch with their fundraiser. I got my SJA first aid course free as I was doing voluntary work for Homestart at the time, but I think if you choose to do one off your own back you would have to pay.
 

zebidee

Well-Known Forumite
The people who come along to your street party are volunteers, the price would go towards the supplies and infrastructure, training the volunteers (who I'm pretty sure get their training for free in return for their time at events, but the trainers are probably paid?)
 

Vault_girl

Well-Known Forumite
indeed when I worked at the carling academy in Brum the St john's people were all volunteers. Must admit I'd never voluntarily do what they did! too much vomit and blood for my liking!
 

WildwoodPaul

Well-Known Forumite
I totally understand that the first aiders who work for St Johns are volunteers. The impression I got is that if you want to book St Johns for an event it can be quite costly, so much so I've been at a few events recently where they have gone to other organisations to provide the first aid cover due to the cost suggested by SJA.

Unfortunately I'm not able to provide any actual figures for events but it's my understanding it comes to a bit more than covering the cost of bandages used on the day etc.

To me it seems if you want to use SJA for anything you have to pay for it, so how in anyway is that charitable?

JC, thanks for the heads up on the first aid courses.

Paul
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I imagine that the costs amount to a bit more than any bandages they might use. They have premises and vehicles to run and, no doubt, insurance cover, amongst many other costs. Donations, presumably, act to reduce the effects that these costs have on the payments required. It is not, by any means, unusual for charities to charge for services - Help the Aged/Age Concern will charge for a lot of their services, also, for example..
 

zebidee

Well-Known Forumite
I said:
supplies and infrastructure
i.e.

Gramaisc said:
I imagine that the costs amount to a bit more than any bandages they might use. They have premises and vehicles to run and, no doubt, insurance cover, amongst many other costs. Donations, presumably, act to reduce the effects that these costs have on the payments required. It is not, by any means, unusual for charities to charge for services - Help the Aged/Age Concern will charge for a lot of their services, also, for example..
sorry for the lack of clarity, I thought it was obvious, considering price of petrol etc :)
 

zebidee

Well-Known Forumite
No no G, your posts are always informative and useful :)

btw...I just found this :zoidberg: it made me happy...
 

zebidee

Well-Known Forumite
zebidee said:
No no G, your posts are always informative and useful, didn't mean to criticise :)

btw...I just found this :zoidberg: it made me happy...
erm LOL meant to edit, not quote...oh well !!
 
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