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A "vital element" of Guernsey's healthcare provision has had its 25th anniversary celebrated.
Guernsey's Deputy Bailiff praised the work of the St John Ambulance Guernsey staff and volunteers of the Flying Christine III at the weekend.
A breakfast reception at the Guernsey Yacht Club was held with representatives representatives from Sark, Herm and Jethou, current and former St John volunteers and ex-ambulance staff, including some of the original Flying Christine III crew.
Speaking at the event, Richard McMahon said: "The Flying Christine is a vital element of the health care provision that we have for the benefit of the community across the Bailiwick of Guernsey and for visitors we welcome here. The community owes a debt of gratitude to all those who are prepared to go out in all weather conditions to provide medical attention to those who need it. The Bailiwick is blessed with people who are prepared to give of their time to help people so freely and the volunteers who help the permanent staff at St John do a fantastic job for all of us.”
Bill Slim who was part of the original crew in 1994 said; “It was brilliant to met up with some of my former colleagues and share some memories of our time on the boat. Looking back, we had some challenging cases, including some long searches. I enjoyed my time on both Flying Christine II and III. I was fond of Christine II but III was a good boat. When I retired from the ambulance service the thing I missed the most was being on the boats.”
Pictured: Deputy Bailiff Richard McMahon.
During the event the St John marine ambulance was blessed by Father Marc Trickey, the Commandery Chaplain and Revd Dr David Coulter, St John Chaplain. The short ceremony included prayers for the crews, volunteers and for the service of St John, as well as a reading from St John cadet Olivia Harrison.
The current St John marine ambulance was officially named and launched by HRH The Duke of Gloucester at a ceremony on 28 November 1994 and her first mission was for a medical emergency in Sark. She is the third vessel to carry the name Flying Christine.
The Flying Christine III is a mobile medical treatment centre, equipped like a road ambulance with the capability of taking advanced medical care to patients in the other islands and transporting casualties to Guernsey for further treatment.
The Flying Christine III is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year and is operated by volunteer boat crew from the local maritime community and medical clinicians from the emergency ambulance service. The marine ambulance is not funded by the States of Guernsey and relies entirely on charitable donations and bequests.
Pictured top: Images of the event by Chris George.
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