Stonehaven man John Godsman was finalising the details for a new community ambulance before his death at the end of last year.
The 67-year-old spent many years dedicating his free time to the Portlethen and District Voluntary Community Ambulance Association.
As well as being a regular behind the wheel, John made sure the ambulance was always running smoothly while working to secure a new vehicle for the community.
The new “wee blue” ambulance was delivered earlier this year and was officially unveiled during an open day event on Saturday with a tribute to their late member.
John’s wife, Sheila Godsman, cut the ribbon alongside her sister, Lyn King, who has recently retired from her role as practice manager at Portlethen Medical Centre.
It was Lyn who encouraged John to start volunteering with the community ambulance back in 2016.
New ambulance for Portlethen
The community ambulance has been operating in Portlethen, Newtonhill and the surrounding areas since 1982, to take elderly and disabled patients to GP and dental appointments.
Everyone involved with the charity is a volunteer, including 15 drivers who also take local residents to nearby community groups.
Chairman David Walton got involved after using the service himself four years ago.
“I was not able to drive for about a month,” he said. “I used the ambulance myself to get to the medical centre for my appointments.
“That is how I got to know about it.
“I then inquired about being a driver and it’s all gone from there.”
David was on the committee alongside John, who was voted in as maintenance co-ordinator at the AGM in 2019.
He would take the ambulance home every month to make sure it was looking its best for all the patients.
“If anything went wrong or needed replacing, all we had to do was call John and he would sort things out at short notice,” he said.
“It was John who finalised the specifications and was in regular contact with the vehicle supplier, ensuring all the fine details were communicated clearly and the internal fitting-on was on schedule.
“It is down to John that we now have the vehicle that exactly meets our requirements.”
Generous donations from community
The “wee blue” ambulance has now been on the road for a couple of months making it possible for many people to get to vital appointments.
As well as the hard work from John and the rest of the committee, they were able to purchase the upgraded vehicle thanks to grants or funds from the Newtonhill Common Good Fund, Newtonhill Community Council, Portlethen Town Association and Aberdeenshire Council.
Generous donations were also received from Brio Retirement Living, Kepak McIntosh Donald, Macphie of Glenbervie, Michies Chemist and Meikle Carewe Wind Farm, as well as local businessmen Colin Lawson and Graham Thom.
North East MSP Liam Kerr said he was “delighted to attend the unveiling of the new community ambulance.
He said: “This is a brilliant new addition to this longstanding community service which will provide crucial protection and support for the community.
“When it comes to health matters, every second counts and the new ambulance will really help ensure those that need assistance get it.
“This is a great example of hard-working volunteers coming together and I commend this dedicated group who have marshalled resources for the benefit of the town and the surrounding area.”
To read more about John Godsman click here.
