St John Ambulance is looking forward to teaching even more people life saving skills after opening the doors of its new home in Truro.

The launch event last Wednesday also marked the centenary of the first aid charity’s volunteers having a base in Cornwall’s capital city. Mayor of Truro, Lorrie Eathorne-Gibbons formally cut the ribbon to declare the premises in Heron Way open and start the 100th birthday celebrations.

The manager of St John Ambulance’s Truro Unit, Gregg Lean, was also presented with a plaque from his fellow volunteers, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and dedication. "I was shocked, but very proud and I am hugely grateful to my team for this award," said Gregg.

"Finding our new building and getting it ready has been hard work, but I wanted to do it for my volunteers, to make sure they have the training and operational facilities they deserve. I already have an amazing team in Truro and, hopefully, this is the start of us growing and getting even stronger."

The industrial unit has been fully refurbished, complete with a secure vehicle compound, for under £30,000. Costs have been kept low, thanks to the hard work of Truro’s St John Ambulance volunteers, together with the generosity of several local businesses.

As well as providing a vital base for volunteering in Cornwall, St John Ambulance’s new Truro building will also host first aid and other training courses for businesses and the general public.

St John Ambulance’s regional director, Steve Hargreaves said: "I’m delighted that Gregg and his excellent team of volunteers in Truro finally have a building that’s fit for purpose and will allow more people than ever to learn first aid skills that could help them be the difference between a life lost and a life saved."

The Truro Unit has 15 adult volunteers and the move to a new building marks the start of a recruitment drive in the area.

As the first part of that, St John Ambulance is currently looking for volunteer youth leaders, to start new programmes for youngsters in Truro and support the growing numbers of Badgers and Cadets in Camborne.

For more information visit www.sja.org.uk/supportingyouth and follow the link for Cornwall, call 08700 10 49 50 or email Dave Christophers: South-west-youth@sja.org.uk