GENEROUS shoppers donated enough spare change to create a line of penny pieces the length of five football pitches as members of St John Ambulance’s Salisbury unit kicked off a new fundraising drive.

The Salisbury Unit wants to buy two fully equipped first aid mountain bikes for use by their first aiders when they are providing cover at busy and congested events.

Unit leader Andy Thornton said: "These bikes can be real life savers.

“If someone is taken ill or is injured on a large site with hundreds of people milling around, it can be difficult to get an ambulance to them and it might take too long for a first aider to get there on foot.

“A bike loaded up with all the most up to date equipment can be a real godsend."

The unit needs to raise £6,000 to buy the bikes, complete with equipment and training.

The event in Wilton, held last Saturday, raised £278.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Salisbury first aid bike fundraising scheme can contact St John Ambulance on 01380 728362.