ST JOHN Ambulance is looking for volunteers after setting up a new unit in Witney.

The charity, which provides support at events and attends 999 calls, is looking for people, from as young as five, to help deliver the life-saving service in west Oxfordshire.

First-aiders not only provide support for large functions but can also be on call to assist the ambulance service on Saturdays and Sundays.

Units in Oxfordshire share a fleet of nine volunteer ambulances, which they take turns to man.

Across England, St John Ambulance treats 130,000 people a year and trains 500,000 people in life-saving skills.

Andrew Dawson, director of operations for St John Ambulance Oxfordshire, welcomed the new group, based at Witney Methodist Church, in High Street.

He said: “We have local groups that teach and provide professional first-aiders to all public events.

“We haven’t had one in Witney for some time and, being a large town in Oxfordshire, it has been quite important for us to have a unit.”

He added: “The Witney unit will cover local events, but as a member, you might go to Cornbury Festival or Notting Hill Carnival, or anywhere in the country.”

The new unit was opened by Witney MP David Cameron earlier in the month. It takes the number of St John Ambulance groups in the county to 16. Unit leader Nick Speller said: “First aid saves lives and St John Ambulance’s volunteers provide support at thousands of events.

“We also support the emergency services in crises – during the summer floods of 2007, our volunteers worked tirelessly to help the communities in Witney and across Oxfordshire get back on their feet.”

There are currently 44,000 St John Ambulance volunteers in the UK, with 20,000 under the age of 25.

Mr Dawson is looking for up to 30 recruits to join the new unit.

He said: “There are all sorts of volunteering opportunities – support team, helping members at events, first-aiders and cycle responders.”

The unit also wants to raise £2,000 to buy a bike and equipment, including defibrillator, for mobile first aiders to use.

The unit meets weekly at the Witney Methodist Church on Mondays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

To join, call Natalie Hayward on 01865 378228.

witney@oxfordmail.co.uk