THE fund-raising drive to buy a new ambulance for a voluntary group in St Neots has now passed the halfway mark. The town s St John Ambulance division needs £40,000 to buy the purpose-built vehicle. Since the campaign was started in July 2006, more than £

THE fund-raising drive to buy a new ambulance for a voluntary group in St Neots has now passed the halfway mark.

The town's St John Ambulance division needs £40,000 to buy the purpose-built vehicle.

Since the campaign was started in July 2006, more than £25,000 has been raised thanks by volunteers, businesses and other organisations.

Sharon Cragg, unit leader for St John Ambulance in St Neots, said: "We had a little bit of money saved for the unit but we really started working hard in July and have done lots of different things to raise the money.

"We held a Christmas event at the end of last year at our headquarters where stall holders paid for a pitch and we made just under £500 plus commission.

"We recently held a quiz at Wyboston Lakes where we raised a further £2,000."

Once the entire £40,000 is raised, the money will be used to buy an ambulance that will include a couch, oxygen equipment and running water, but also a kitchenette.

It is hope the £40,000 target will be reached early next year.

To help bolster the kitty, the division has other charity events planned, including an appeal next month at Tesco supermarket in St Neots, an appeal at the town's Waitrose supermarket in April, a 70s disco in October, and another Christmas event.

Depending on how much money is raised through the campaign, the group would also like to buy some the equipment for the new vehicle and have some left over to cover the running costs.

Mrs Cragg said: "The unit will cost about £4,000 a year to run and we will be doing further charity events to help pay for this."

INFORMATION: To make a donation to the St John Ambulance St Neots division, send cheques to St Neots division campaign, St John Ambulance Cambridgeshire, 3 Barton Road, Cambridge, CB3 9JZ.