Monday 12 September, 2022: St John Ambulance volunteers have come forward in their hundreds wishing to play their part in keeping members of the public safe throughout the period of national mourning and at ceremonial events, including Queen Elizabeth II’s Lying-in-State and funeral.  

Volunteers have been providing 24-hour medical support in London and Windsor since Friday.  

From this Wednesday (September 14) St John will have hundreds of volunteers caring for the crowds every day, including over 600 on the busiest day.  

Mike Gibbons, Commissioner Operations for St John, said, “In our planning for this sad occasion, we estimated we’d need around a thousand volunteers, but more than double that have said they can make themselves available.   

“As the Sovereign Head of our parent charity, the Order of St John, The Queen had a long history with St John Ambulance, and we are not at all surprised we have had such a positive response from our fantastic people willing to help."  

He added, “Our charity’s volunteers and employees are out there helping keep people as safe as possible as they pay their respects. I know all St John people will take great pride in doing so, and I’d like to thank all of them for their efforts.”  

St John has extensive experience supporting major events, including the recent Platinum Jubilee, and mobilising thousands of volunteers across the country.  

How St John Ambulance is providing support  

• Up to 2,000 of St John Ambulance’s volunteers and employees – including healthcare professionals – are supporting in London and Windsor  
• They include first aiders, cycle responders and ambulance crews to doctors 
• In London alone, from Wednesday, St John Ambulance will have 30 bases, from pop-up treatment centres to purpose-built temporary field hospital facilities in Hyde Park, St James’s Park and by Lancaster House  
• In Windsor we are providing treatment centres, first aiders and ambulances 

As large crowds gather to pay their respects, St John urges people ‘to look out for one another to keep as many people as safe as possible, during the coming days.’  

If you need help at an event, try to come to one of our treatment centres rather than phone 999. 

 

For interviews and other media enquiries please contact St John Ambulance’s external communications team: PR@sja.org.uk or call 03330 154 412