Creswell: First aid unit folds after 107 years

Several members resigned their positions after being told the group would fold.

“Despite being a successful St John Ambulance development for 107 years, the Creswell section has been forced to close because it is too small,” said former member Stan Rushton.

Mr Rushton stood down along with several other volunteers, who used to meet at Creswell Social Centre.

“Despite having almost £10,000 in the bank and being self sufficient the development is now being prevented from supporting the community which has always supported it,” he said.

Mr Rushton expressed regret that he would not be providing first aid at local events like the Louise Smalley walk, the Ryan Holmes memorial ride-out or Clowne Half Marathon, or be able to parade in his uniform on Armistice Day.

“It is another Creswell organisation that has withered and gone,” said Mr Rushton, whose whole family was in St John Ambulance.

Chris Thornton, regional director at St John Ambulance said a small number of units had been combined ‘to ensure their running costs did not outweigh their benefit’.

“We are a first aid charity whose vision is to ensure no one suffers from a lack of first aid,” he said.

He said eight Creswell volunteers were given the chance to join two ‘thriving’ units in Bolsover and Worksop. He said most supported the decision but that some decided they no longer wanted to be part of the organisation.