Thank you for taking the time to visit Central Sussex & Ouse Valley Network JustGiving page. St John Ambulance are the nation’s leading first aid charity.

Every year, more than 400,000 people learn how to save a life through our training programmes. We provide first aid in the community and step up in the moments that matter.

MY CHALLENGE:

On the last weekend of August 110 years ago, a large group of recently formed volunteers went on a gruelling route march in full uniform. Starting from their headquarters in central Brighton they marched out towards Hove, then onwards to the then town boundary and circumnavigated their way round that boundary ending up at a military camp on the South Downs.

These volunteers were known as the St John Ambulance Sussex 53rd Voluntary Aid Detachment (Brighton & Hove Divisions), from all walks of life these volunteers gave up their free time by transporting wounded soldiers arriving back in Brighton & Hove by Ambulance Trains onwards to the many military hospitals, over 300 trains and around 35,000 soldiers were handled, as well as transporting them they assisted with care and support within the hospitals, also taking them on outings, along side this work they even provided first aid at public events right across the local area, during the first year or two a number of them were enlisted and sadly lost their lives during conflict.

110 years later, today’s St John Ambulance volunteers still continue their predecessors work, giving up their free time to help others, by training people in life saving skills to attending events, they ensure that anyone who needs first aid can receive the help they need when and wherever they need it, saving lives and giving care and support to all.

To celebrate the achievement of serving the people of Brighton & Hove continuously for 110 years, I’ll be recreating a route march following in the foot steps (as near as I can) to the founding members route, but also other challenges both on foot and cycle, aiming to match 110 years in 110 miles (and possibly more).

Please donate to this fundraiser and support our lifesaving work.