A CHARITY has stepped up to assist Kent’s ambulance service during the very busy winter months.

St John Ambulance regularly provides support and assistance to the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb).

But in recent weeks the assistance given by the charity has been even more vital with areas across the country seeing a 30 per cent increase in 999 calls over the past 10 days.

This has been put down to this year seeing the coldest start to a winter for 30 years, causing a sharp increase in falls and breathing problems, combined with outbreaks of flu and the winter vomiting bug norovirus.

Martin Phippen, commissioner of St John Ambulance Kent, said: “Across the county we have a number of ambulances at our disposal and these can be deployed to assist SECAmb at any time.

“St John Ambulance has a commitment to support the ambulance service in times of emergency as part of our role as the ambulance reserve. Our trained volunteers always expect to support the service at this time of year when calls tend to rise but the demand this year is much higher.

"Our advice is to call 999 only in a genuine emergency and instead use walk-in clinics, NHS direct and pharmacies.”

St John Ambulance Kent has 27 divisional headquarters across the county including a base at Serena Hall, Princes Road, Dartford and St John Hall, The Old Barracks, Armoury Drive, Gravesend.

For more information and first aid advice visit www.sja.org.uk