SJA at Cougars Game 2015: From left Eric, Randy (Corporal), Mana (Member), Kristjan (Member), Merlissa (Member), Adelaide (Area Admin Officer) – photos courtesy SJA

Prince George, B.C. – It’s an organization that normally provides help, not asks for it.

However St. John Ambulance, a volunteer run organization that provides first aid and emergency support during community or sporting events, is asking for the public’s help in raising $50,000 for a mobile medical unit.

Eric (Superintendent), Merlissa (Member), Karlene (Admin Officer), Steve (Corporal)

“At the moment we have a truck but the truck itself is rather high and not suitable to treat people inside,” says divisional superintendent for Prince George Eric Peng.

“And it doesn’t have any climate monitoring inside so that in the winter it’s not exactly efficient to treat people inside because there’s no heat.”

He estimates volunteers provided roughly $78,000 in free service last year excluding their efforts during the Canada Winter Games.

“That’s correct, basically we took the amount of volunteer hours that we provided and calculated that if local businesses were to go hire someone to have an occupational first aider on site, that would be the equivalent.”

Peng notes they’ve already raised around $6,500, and says they’d like to raise the rest by March, 2017. Those interested in helping out can call 250-561-1696, visit their office at 470 3rd Ave, or visit their Facebook page.