Ukraine gets ambulance as Jersey's fleet replaced

Jersey will have a new fleet of eight ambulances

The States of Jersey has replaced the island's ambulance fleet, with retired vehicles being passed on to charities including one bound for Ukraine.

The government said it had replaced all seven ambulances and was waiting for an additional eighth to meet "increased demand on the [ambulance] service".

It said the replacement programme had cost "hundreds of thousands of pounds", but is yet to confirm the exact figure.

One of the retired ambulances will go to Pick Ups for Peace where it will be driven by volunteers Bob De La Haye and Dr Rhys Perkins "to save lives" in Ukraine.

Fit-for-purpose

Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, said: "This donation was only possible due to substantial government investment in frontline ambulance services."

She said charities Normandy Rescue and Jersey Raynet had also received vehicles, while the others were sold to Blue Light UK, with the proceeds reinvested in the service.

"Hundreds of thousands of pounds were spent on the replacement of the entire frontline States of Jersey Ambulance Service fleet in spring this year," she said.

"This ensures our frontline paramedics and ambulance technicians are able to work in modern, fit-for-purpose vehicles, when treating islanders in their care – and we can pass on these now retired vehicles to good causes."

Pete Gavey, States of Jersey Ambulance Service’s chief ambulance officer, said: "I'm pleased we could offer this support, given the loss of infrastructure in Ukraine suffered during this conflict.

"I hope it will help save lives."

The BBC has asked the government how much has been spent on replacing the ambulance fleet.