THE amazing generosity of the people of Okehampton enabled the Okehampton division of St John Ambulance to unveil its state-of-the-art new vehicle last weekend. In just three years since Okehampton St John launched its appeal to purchase a new ambulance, the community has raised the £40,000 total needed. The custom-built ambulance is fully equipped with a defibrillator, stretcher, oxygen, fracture packs and other items for those requiring treatment. The new ambulance was on show outside Fairplace Church in Okehampton on Saturday as a service of blessing and dedication was held. Divisional superintendent Dot Kaines said it was ?absolutely brilliant? to see her dream of a new ambulance for the town turned into reality. Mrs Kaines said: ?We have appreciated the support we have had from so many local people, organisations and charities, particularly the Okehampton United Charity, which put the ?icing on the cake? for our fundraising with a donation of £7,500.? She also thanked Waitrose who she said had ?really started the ball rolling? with a big donation from the outset. Mrs Kaines said: ?I am very proud of my division ? we have thriving cadet and adult sections, which are going from strength to strength. My work over the past three to four years has been very demanding, but with an outcome like today, I feel it has been very worthwhile.? Mrs Kaines said one of the next big events which the St John Ambulance would be on standby for was Okehampton Carnival later this month. ?We look forward to supporting events and activities in the local area and beyond, providing a very professional service, by well-trained volunteers, who give freely of their time to train and do the duties required,? said Mrs Kaines. She said the new ambulance had a hydraulic lift at the back of the vehicle and the stretcher could also be lowered and raised too. The ambulance can also accommodate wheelchairs, and has been designed as a multi-purpose vehicle which can be fitted out as a minibus too. Torridge and West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox said: ?It is a marvellous achievement for the community. To have £40,000 from scratch is something of which the whole community can be proud. Young members of St John?s and Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band took part in the ceremony. The service was conducted by the Rev Philip Wagstaff, who is also chair of the Okehampton division. Mr Wagstaff said: ?Everyone has worked incredibly hard to get to this stage and it is great that the whole community has worked together to get this ambulance.? Once enough St John volunteers have passed the required courses, the division hopes to be able to run on blue lights from next spring.