Published: Thursday, 18th March, 2010 1:13pm

Order of Malta gets new off-road ambulance

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There was good news for the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps in Mullingar this week when they took possession of their new off-load vehicle. The allocation of a National Lottery grant to the tune of €35,000 allowed the Unit to negotiate the purchase of a Toyota Landcruiser late last year and over the past two months, it has been completely refitted by Wilkers in Clara.

The new vehicle, bedecked in the Order's striking livery, will undertake its first official duty this Wednesday when it will be used as a static First Aid post for the Mullingar St. Patrick's Day Parade. All three of the Units vehicles will be pressed into service for the day with some 30 personnel, including members of the Cadet Unit, providing First Aid cover on the streets.

The 4 x 4 will prove invaluable to the Unit at duties such as Castletown-Geoghegan and Rathowen Point to Point and at Hunter Trials in various parts of the region.

"The acquisition of the new vehicle is a real plus for the Unit and we must record our thanks to the National Lottery and the HSE for supporting us so generously". Lt. John FitzSimons, the Unit's Officer in Charge told the 'Westmeath Examiner' this week.

'We have been without a 4 x4 since the end of 2009 but fortunately, there were few duties in the opening months of the year but things are getting quite busy again", he stated.

Apart from equestrian duties, the Mullingar members will be working at a range of events, both locally and nationally, over the course of 2010.

They are regularly to be seen in Cusack Park for major matches while other duties include motor cycle racing, rugby,

community games and a number of charity events, including Honda Cycle runs and charity cyles along with the annual triathlon in Belvedere.

National events include major race meetings, such as the Punchestown Festival, the Irish Derby in the Curragh plus other race meetings when requested.

The Order of Malta is also contracted to the O2 stadium in Dublin and the Oxegen festival in Punchestown and the opportunity to see some of the great musicians is something the members jump at.

"We would have no difficulty getting ten or 12 people for Oxegen while less attractive events might be a little more difficult to man,"joked John.

The Order are also committed to supporting the Annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes with up to five members travelling this year while the Knock Pilgrimage and the Croagh Patrick climb are other events which members attend.

"Being a voluntary organisation, we are very conscious of the demands being made on people in today's financial climate and we try to play an active role in raising monies for other worthy causes. Just last week, our cadets undertook a three legged walk through the grounds of Belvedere for survivors of the earthquake in Haiti and we were delighted to have raised close on €1,000.

"We also support other local organisations who are running charitable events", John stated.

The Mullingar Unit has been running for more than nine years and currently are housed in St. Mary's Day Care Centre, through the kind offices of the HSE. "We are indebted to the Director of Nursing and staff in the Day Care Centre for their wonderful support for the Unit over the past nine years. However, we are currently canvassing a number of bodies for a small of ground which we could call our own.

"With a fleet of three vehicles and particularly with the arrival of the new jeep, it would be nice to find a permanent, secure home. Hopefully, the approaches we have made to Westmeath County Council and to the HSE will bear fruit in the coming months", John continued.a

"For the first time ever, we have been invited to stage the Annual General Assembly of the Order in Mullingar and it would be nice to have found a place of our by the time that comes around in October. Close on 500 people will be attending the two day event, which is taking place in the Mullingar Park Hotel", stated John.

"We are always looking for more help and actively encourage people to come along and see what we are about. We have a cadet unit which caters for boys and girls up to the age of 16 and a senior unit which is for over 16s. There is constant first aid training and updating at our weekly get togethers and there is also a lot of light hearted banter.

"We meet every Wednesday evening in St. Marys, with the cadets kicking off at 7pm, followed by the seniors at 8.30pm. We are not a 24/7 organisation and volunteers can give as little or as much of their spare time as they wish.

If it is only one hour a month, that is fine. Every little bit helps so maybe a few more people might pop along in the coming weeks. You will be more than welcome", John concluded.