NORFOLK'S leading first-aid charity is celebrating the arrival of a new treatment centre that will benefit people across the county.St John Ambulance Norfolk took delivery of the �100,000 unit which will be used by trained professionals to treat people at local events, particularly those with a large footfall, such as the Royal Norfolk Show.

NORFOLK'S leading first-aid charity is celebrating the arrival of a new treatment centre that will benefit people across the county.

St John Ambulance Norfolk took delivery of the �100,000 unit which will be used by trained professionals to treat people at local events, particularly those with a large footfall, such as the Royal Norfolk Show. Its first outing was this weekend at the East Anglian Game and Country Fair at the showground.

The centre was possible thanks to a “phenomenal” effort from members of the public, which saw the annual door-to-door appeal generate �21,000, and St John Ambulance volunteers.

A spokesman for the charity said support had been pouring in, with generous donations from the Geoffrey Watling Trust, the Jarrold Trust, the Nigel Bertram Trust and the Society of Norfolk Golf Captains.

The new purchase is completely self-sufficient, with an independent water supply, waste tanks and a generator for electricity and will be fully equipped at all times for the provision of medical treatment.

It has now been included in the Norfolk Heath Response Plan to act as a distribution centre for medication should an epidemic or crisis situation break out in locations where suitable fixed accommodation has not been identified.

Jacquie Rowell, county executive officer of St John Ambulance Norfolk, said: 'The purchase of this treatment centre has been a community effort, and we're so thankful to every-one who has donated to our cause.”

For details about St John Ambulance, call 01603 431639 or

e-mail countyhq@norfolk.sja.org.uk.