Conisbrough and Denaby W. V. S. in London – Raised £500 for Ambulance

March 1945

South Yorkshire Times, March 3, 1945

Raised £500 for Ambulance
Conisbrough and Denaby W. V. S. in London

Just over two years ago the Conisbrough and Denaby members of the W.V.S. set out to raise £400 to purchase an ambulance for service with the Armed Forces. Since the scheme was first started it has been found necessary to raise £500, and after many months of ceaseless effort in organising dances and other social events, together with donations, the object has been achieved.

On Tuesday seven members made the journey to London formally to hand the ambulance over to the Red Cross organisation. The party which was headed by the area organiser, Mrs G. N. Payling, M. B. E., consisted of Mrs Oldfield (Chairman) Mrs Collins (centre organiser) Mrs Williamson (Treas) Mrs Doran, Mrs Stimson, Mrs Ward, and Miss Goodyear.

On arrival in London the party proceeded to the Red Cross headquarters in Grosvenor Square, where the ceremony took place. The presentation was made by Mrs Oldfield to Marshall Sir Philip Chetwode. Others present included the RTE. Hon. Tom Williams. MP, Joint Parliamentary Sec to the Minister of Agriculture and Lord Ilife (chairman of the Duke of Gloucester’s Red Cross and St John fund) who paid tribute to the splendid work of the W.V.S. The ambulance, which bears the inscription “Presented by the Conisbrough and Denaby W.V.S.” is equipped with the latest and best interior fittings. It is already ear marked for the continent and will be over there in two week’s time.

After the ceremony the ladies were taken round a Red Cross depot. And while they were there a telephone call came through for supplies needed for British prisoners of war who had been liberated by the Russians. The night was spent at a Y. W. C. A. and on Wednesday morning the ladies were the guests of Mr Tom Williams who escorted them round the House of Commons. The party left London about 4 PM and arrived home about 10 PM on Wednesday. All expenses of the trip to London have been born by the ladies themselves.