More than 140 new recruits welcomed to St John during National Volunteer Week

• St John WA has welcomed 142 new volunteers with more to come through its Looking for Legends recruitment campaign which launched in February,
• The new starters join more than 6200 volunteers at St John who have been recongised for their commitment to service during National Volunteer Week,
• For every $1 spent on ambulance services, St John returns $1.80 to community, resulting in a net benefit of $209 to the WA economy.

St John WA will be celebrating its 6238-strong volunteers – and welcoming 142 new country volunteers recruited from its ‘Looking For Legends’ campaign – as part of National Volunteer Week, running May 16 to 22.

St John Head of Country Ambulance Justin Fonte said volunteers had been at the heart of St John since the organisation started teaching first aid 130 years ago, and had supported delivery of the State’s ambulance service for 100 years across the biggest land mass covered by any ambulance service worldwide.

“For every dollar spent on contracted ambulance services, St John returns $1.80 which delivers a net benefit of $209 million to the WA community.”

Many of the new recruits were born after 1980, reflecting new independent research commissioned by St John that more than 40 per cent Gen Z (48%) and Millennials (42%) want to volunteer in the future.

Fitting the demographic is 32-year-old Deborah Gee from Bridgetown, who volunteers at her local St John Sub Centre, as well as at Bridgetown Volunteer Fire and Rescue, as well as working a busy schedule as a FIFO mines rescue officer in the Pilbara.

“The best part is the wonderful crew willing to give up their time to help our community and I’m proud to be a part of the St John team in Bridgetown,” she said.

“Its not all lights and sirens. We get to be a part of many community events and St John will provide you with all the essential skills you need. Plus, everyone looks good in green.”