Volunteers at St John Ambulance's Lowestoft unit are celebrating after they received a funding boost.

The Lowestoft unit was awarded £4,000 through the Tesco Bags of Help grant funding scheme, which has seen them buy new life-saving equipment.

With the unit's fundraising lead Andrew Rivett applying for a community grant through the scheme – which is supported by Groundwork East – in August last year, St John Ambulance was selected above two other projects by shoppers at the two local Tesco stores.

After the winner was announced a delighted Mr Rivett told his colleagues at the St John Ambulance headquarters on Oxford Road that he had secured a full grant of £4,000, specifically to replace ageing equipment that is used on a weekly basis by the first aiders.

At a presentation at the north Lowestoft Tesco store on Leisure Way last month, volunteers displayed the kit that had been secured through the initiative.

Among the items of new equipment are a backpack to carry first aid consumables as well as a responder bag, specific pieces of medical equipment such as thermometers and mouth pieces, and disposable foil blankets.

The grant money also allowed for the purchase of two Lifepak 1000 defibrillators with accessories, two oxygen response kits and two comms bundles including handsets and microphones.

Mr Rivett said: 'This is fantastic news for the local unit and the new equipment will enable our volunteers to continue to deliver life-saving first aid in the community and at local events.

'On many occasions our volunteers are out covering three or four events on the same day and these items of equipment will make all the difference. I'm very grateful to Tesco, Groundwork East and of course all the Tesco shoppers who selected us as the winning project late last year!'

St John Ambulance's Lowestoft unit is continuing to fundraise for equipment including additional defibrillators and special kit for the local Cycle Response Unit.

Volunteers are also hoping to raise money to help refurbish the unit building with events being held during the summer. To support St John Ambulance in Lowestoft, email andrew.rivett@sja.org.uk or visit the unit building.