St John Ambulance has started a major recruitment drive after admitting it does not have enough first-aiders to cover all events it is asked to attend.

The 900th anniversary of the Order of St John sees the launch of Project 900 to recruit enough volunteers to keep the charity going.

The Oxfordshire branch covers sporting events ranging from Oxford United games to horse trials at Blenheim Palace, as well as pop concerts and licensed events. Pat Stewart, recruitment co-ordinator for Oxfordshire said: "We have 600 members at the moment but we could really do with twice that figure.

"We are having to turn away events. If things keep going the way they are, we won't be here in eight years."

Last year, based on the minimum wage, volunteers gave almost £200,000 worth of free service in the county.

The charity urgently needs volunteers for a range of tasks.

Mrs Stewart added: "We would like someone to come and mow the grass at weekends or somebody willing to make tea.

"It's not just first-aiders we want, we will give all the training needed."

There has been an eight per cent decline in adult volunteers and 14 per cent decline in cadets since 1997. Peter Carver, Commissioner in Chief for St John Ambulance, said: "This could be a blow to the thousands of sports and other public events where first aid is a requirement."

The recruitment hotline, from Monday, is 0870 1290 900.

Story date: Friday 05 March

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