Volunteers on hand for flood help

St John Ambulance volunteers and vehicles are on standby in Lancashire today (Monday 21 January) as the heavy rain continues.

Two rest centres in East Lancashire and the Ribble Valley will be provided to give 24-hour care, if people have to be evacuated from their home. In Oxfordshire, the nation's leading first aid charity was also on standby at the weekend, amid concerns that the flooding would worsen in the area.

'The recent heavy rain has caused localised flooding and as a result it was feared that many people would have to be evacuated and moved to an area of safety,' said Andy Dawson Assistant Commissioner Operations Oxfordshire.

'St John Ambulance were ready to set up a number of rest centres, including one at the Kassam stadium, but fortunately for everyone this wasn't required in the end. We would like to reassure the residents of Oxfordshire if we are once again needed, St John Ambulance will be there to do everything they can to help.'

St John Ambulance is part of the official ambulance reserve, and can be called upon at any time by local authorities to provide local support. During the summer floods, hundreds of the charity's volunteers from all over the country gave their time and energy to help those in need and ensure that flood-stricken communities got back on their feet.