St John Ambulance has unveiled its new electric car which has arrived in Norwich as part of a new project to replace existing support vehicles across the country.  

The new car is a Kia e-niro and Norwich is one of the locations to receive an electric vehicle so early in the project.  

The new car which was funded by members of the public through the ongoing annual St John Norfolk Open Gardens scheme is expected to be used throughout Norfolk and further afield locations, and the whole team is delighted at the chance to use it behind the wheel.  

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Neil Spencer, district fleet officer at St John Ambulance, said: “These vehicles offer us a wide range of uses and will further help us support our fantastic volunteers to do what they do best. 

“They are extremely comfortable to drive, easy to charge and have a massive load of space so we can carry five people and equipment to and from events."

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Initial plans in St John Ambulance’s 10-year fleet strategy include the purchase of 12 electric cars and 15 community support units, plus the replacement of ageing ambulances with state-of-the-art new vehicles. 

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Norfolk St John Priory Group chairman Georgina Holloway said: “This new vehicle will be of immense benefit to our hard-working volunteers in Norfolk and we’re hugely grateful to all members of the public who paid an entrance fee to attend one of our recent Open Gardens.” 

Eastern Daily Press: Chestnut Farm, West Beckham, is open to raise money for St John*Chestnut Farm at West Beckham is having an open garden on October 1 from 11am-4pm to raise money for St John.

Many people will have visited this garden in the spring to see the snowdrops collection, or summer to see the herbaceous borders but this is the first time of opening in Autumn.

The garden is a riot of colour with autumn crocuses, sedum, Japanese anenomes, chrysanthemums and dahlias in full flower along with many decorative shrubs and trees.

Adults £5, children free, dogs on leads welcome, home made refreshments.