St John Ambulance has been given $20,000 by two companies for the purchase of an ambulance and emergency equipment to meet growing demand.

The donation from Marsh and Guy Carpenter will be made over a two-year period to the medical charity for emergency care, which is staffed with unpaid volunteers.

At present the group has four ambulances and one ambulance mobile clinic.

Thanking the companies, Jeffrey Borges, the deputy commissioner, said the boost would make for a faster and more efficient fleet, which is in continuous use at community and sports events.