has an operating budget bigger than most charities.

Providing medical training for volunteers isn't cheap, and neither is the cost of equipment and supplies, of which the charity needs plenty in order to maintain a high level of service.

They are busier now than they have ever been and because of that a fourth ambulance is top of their `wish list' for 2001. The cost? $66,000! With the new ambulance will come the need to build a larger garage to store the vehicles, as four ambulances won't fit into the three-vehicle garage.

There are also some structural changes that need to be made to the building and those would-be volunteers who might not be medically inclined can help out at the headquarters doing odd jobs.

And that is only a fraction of what the charity requires. Other items include two Pulse Oximeter at $2,500 each, a De-fibrillation machine at $5,000, three spinal injury boards at $350 each, insurance for the three ambulances at a total of $5,353. Then there are the tyres for the vehicles, 12 tyres in all at $200 each.

The list goes on and on. Medical supplies for the year will cost $2,600, mobile emergency first aid kits (four) will set the charity back $460 for each. To have the three ambulances repainted ran up a bill of $2,000, fuel for the vehicles runs in the $800 region and then there are also office equipment needed and, new to the list, a medical tent for use at major events like the Ag Show and Cup Match which will cost $1,000.

"The vehicles are very highly equipped to a very high standard and it's all from our own fund-raising efforts,'' says Mrs. Susan Parsons, executive director of the charity.

"And it has to be, because you are not just going to bumps, scratches and bruises, you are going to broken arms and broken legs, diabetics who have become dehydrated and that's the level of expertise that you're functioning at.'' Previously, the volunteers also had to buy their own uniforms but now St. John provide the three uniforms to each person and when they end their involvement with the charity they return them.

"I am delighted that council has agreed to take that cost on, but we now need to find where we are going to get that funding from,'' said Mrs. Parsons, who revealed that the charity has an annual budget of about $200,000.

They are now in the process of setting up a financial committee to work with companies to raise capital funds for St. John's.

The charity announced a new appointment to their membership and council a couple of weeks ago, that Lt. Colonel Eugene Raynor would be returning for a second spell as commissioner.

"He has loads of experience, he's a great guy, very hands-on, is a team player and he actually got a standing ovation when it was announced,'' revealed Mrs. Parsons.

"He's been commissioner in the past, he's also been a member of council in the past and also a volunteer, so he's worked his way up the ranks.'' With almost 350 registered charities in Bermuda, Mrs. Parsons recognises there are a lot of requests for donations to various good causes.

"For a small country Bermuda has so many charities and they've all got good causes for stating their case,'' she noted.

"We've just applied for a refreshment stall at the Agricultural Show and have been told the cost is $200 a day. I really feel that because we attend the show that we are different to the other charities who are doing it for fundraising and that we fit into a different category.'' One organisation that appreciates the contribution of St. John's to their sporting events is the Bermuda Powerboat Association. So much so that they made a big donation to the charity at the end of last season to show their gratitude.

At every race day each driver contributed $5 and the charity benefitted to the tune of $1,500.

"This year we want to do more,'' assured commodore Craig Burt. "What the previous committee talked about before they went out was to make a donation at the beginning of the year and make another donation at the end of the year.

"Without them we can't participate. They are a big help to our sport, we do have a sport that's dangerous and from that aspect it does help that they are there to transport people to hospital.'' The Powerboat Association isn't able to charge admission to their events, and they do have a major insurance premium to pay each year to provide cover in case a boat hits a spectator.

Still, they find funds to donate to a charity that has always been there for them. "Whenever we have the Round-the-Island pre-race party or end of year presentation we try to reserve, let's say ten tickets, where we would cover the food and drinks of any of their members who can attend those events,'' explained Mr. Burt. "We always make our donations to St. John, we think it's worthwhile. As long as I'm there it will happen.'' A helping hand: Ever present to provide first aid to those in need, the St.

John's Ambulance is bidding to expand its activities in Bermuda and is raising funds to support its efforts.