VOLUNTEER first aiders in Grays have stepped right into the front line in the battle against coronavirus.

Members of the Grays St John Ambulance group, a volunteer charity based at their HQ on London Road and who have been serving the town since 1916, have committed to adding four ambulances to the fleet of NHS vehicles across the region.

Three of the vehicles will be covering core 999 work for both East of England and London Ambulance services while the fourth is being dedicated as an intensive treatment unit to transfer patients around the county. This is also being supported by the Logistics team for restocking both between and during their shifts throughout the day.

Members of the Grays St John team have also attended county headquarters in Chelmsford, joined by St John volunteers from across London, Kent, Surrey and the East Midlands for the first of a two day course in order to refresh old and perfect new skills to assist the NHS in these unprecedented times.