St John Ambulance helps thousands cope at the London Marathon

Aerial shot photograph of SJA volunteers administering first aid to an injured person.

St John Ambulance treated 5054 people in the soaring heat at the 2007 Flora London Marathon, ensuring that most runners went on to finish the race. Seventy-three were sent to hospital for further treatment.

Volunteers

Around 1,400 St John Ambulance volunteers were on duty to provide first aid support and give advice to runners in the unexpected April heat – which reached a blazing 20.5C. Figures were up from 4229 treated last year but more runners took part in the race.

This year’s event was unusually hot and we treated a high number of people but our volunteers worked under all kinds of conditions and used their expertise to cope with the challenge

Seamus Kelly
Commissioner, St John Ambulance in London

St John Ambulance provided 50 ambulances, 59 treatment centres, 2000 plasters, 200 bottles of baby oil and 250 tubs of petroleum jelly to care for the runners. The most common ailments were blisters, cramp and dehydration.

Heat

'This year’s event was unusually hot and we treated a high number of people but our volunteers worked under all kinds of conditions and used their expertise to cope with the challenge,' said Seamus Kelly OBE, Commissioner of St John Ambulance in London.

'As always, we wish a speedy recovery to anyone who needs further treatment.'

Cheering

Tara Emery, Events Manager at St John Ambulance, cheered their runners on all day. She said: 'We had 195 people running for St John Ambulance including people dressed as Cleopatra, The Hoff and a fairy. Together they have raised over £200,000 which will go towards our vital first aid work.'

Fundraising in costume

Lloyd Moreton, who has previously run thirteen marathons, was with his daughter Jenny, 18. They were dressed as trees to symbolise the many branches of the charity and finished the marathon in a gruelling six and a half hours. Talking about finishing the race, Lloyd said: ‘We were bushed but we’re grateful to everyone who was rooting for us on the way round.

'This year's marathon was the toughest yet but I had my daughter running beside me which gave us both the strength to race to the finish. And of course, by running for St John Ambulance I was reassured to know their first aiders were standing by in case I needed them!'.

All funds raised will support St John Ambulance’s lifesaving work. Without their volunteers events like the Flora London Marathon would not be able to happen.