St John Ambulance and a Manjimup retailer have joined together to put the call out for more volunteers across the South West.

Picture by Tom Edwards: Target Country Manjimup manager Matthew Guile and community paramedic Gary Willcox are urging people to become St John Ambulance volunteers.

Community paramedic Gary Willcox and Target Country Manjimup manager Matthew Guile are urging people to sign up to help at any of the sub centres across the shire of Manjimup and beyond.

Since the Manjimup Bridgetown Times highlighted a shortfall in the number of volunteers needed to safeguard the community three weeks ago, St John Ambulance has received a surge of at least nine applicants in Manjimup.

Mr Willcox said it was a case of the more volunteers the better.

‘‘People have to stand up and support whatever voluntary organisation they are able to, whether it be St Vincent de Paul or the St John Ambulance,’’ Mr Willcox said.

‘‘There’s probably not an optimum number of volunteers we need, as there are always people coming and going, so basically the more we can get the better it will be.

‘‘It takes a few months to get trained up, but St John Ambulance covers all the costs and you get to learn many valuable skills such as time management, problem solving and interpersonal skills, which are useful in all areas of life.’’

Applicants need to be reasonably fit, have basic literacy and numeracy skills and be at least two years or more off P-plates.

A senior first aid certificate is desirable although it is not strictly required as all the necessary training will be provided by St John Ambulance.

Mr Guile is a St John Ambulance volunteer of four years who has progressed to the point where he is now involved with training new recruits.

He said his employer had been very supportive when it came to his voluntary work and had even nominated him for a Rondel Award for community involvement in recognition of the contribution he had made.

‘‘Volunteering with St John Ambulance gives you a strong sense of satisfaction and it’s also a great way of making new friends,’’ Mr Guile said.

‘‘I would strongly urge people to considering volunteering. It enriches your life and can potentially save the lives of others.’’