Mansfield students play a big part in Gambia ambulance mission

Back in 2017, Mark Hammans, a retired police sergeant, approached the students to ask for their help in refurbishing four out-of-service ambulances ready to be taken out to The Gambia to help support communities and clinics for his Aid2Gambia charity mission.

Mark’s charity helps hard to reach and poor communities in The Gambia all year round with routine shipments of clothing, toys, baby milk, chairs, tables and more.

Over the past couple of years, student mechanics at the college’s engineering innovation centre, have worked tirelessly to put the old emergency vehicles back into roadworthy action, so they could be driven to West Africa.

The Aid2Gambia convoy of four ambulances set off on their mission with Mark and his friends on January 4, driving through France, Spain, Gibralta, Tangiers, Mauritania and Senegal, Morocco and into The Gambia.

Alex Wilson, 20, one of the students involved, said: I really enjoyed being part of this as it was for such a good cause and it’s given me a feeling of great accomplishment and we’re delighted to know everyone got there safe and well.”

Andy Gray, tutor, said: “I’m so proud of all of the students who supported the project over the last two years.

“I also feel very proud of my own involvement in the project ensuring timely completion of each individual ambulance and quality controlling the work carried out by our learners.”