Warwick Ambulance Association receives much-needed income boost

The WPH Charitable Trust has awarded £3,000 to the Warwick Ambulance Association (WAA) to enable the charity to resume its vital work once Covid restrictions allow.

The WAA, which provides first aid cover for events primarily in Warwickshire but sometimes nationally, also gives first aid training to its 30-strong volunteer force, other organisations and the general public.

But its volunteers have been stopped in their tracks and vehicles grounded since the pandemic took hold almost a year ago.

Despite the pandemic the WAA still has to meet its running costs, including bills for its Emscote Road headquarters and maintenance and MOT of its vehicles, to enable them to be back on the road once work resumes.

Its fleet includes four ambulances, two mobile treatment units, two paramedic cycles and a caravan for overnight accommodation.

The money from the WPH Charitable Trust will be used towards those costs.

The Warwick Ambulance Association was first established in the early 1900s to transport members of the public from Leamington Railway Station to the Pump Rooms for hydrotherapy treatment.

Pat Goode, Treasurer and Trustee of Warwick Ambulance Association, said the charity today would usually raise the majority of its funds by charging attendance fees at local and sometimes national events, through public talks and donations.

The cancellation of all events over the past year meant the charity’s income had ground to a complete halt but its £18,000 annual expenditure still had to be met to keep the charity going once restrictions were eased, including the property insurance and utility bills for its headquarters and the ongoing maintenance of its vehicles.

Pat said: “With all events being cancelled our work has had to cease which means we have not had any income.

"We haven’t even been able to meet to carry out training.

“The money from the WPH Charitable Trust has made an enormous difference.

"Without donations such as this we could not have survived the financial aspects of the pandemic to be able to provide our services in the future.

“As well as the monetary benefit the donation has given our members a much-needed boost to their mental well-being.

"It has certainly helped them see how much their work is valued.”

Pat also said volunteers were looking forward to resuming their work when events recommence and restrictions allow.