A LONGSTANDING first-aid charity has closed its Bury unit after a row over protocol.

The St John Ambulance (SJA) had two junior groups and an adult group that met weekly in Bury, providing volunteers with life-saving skills.

However, an internal dispute among local leaders and regional and national headquarters has led to a youth leader losing his position.

An SJA spokesman claims it was because he refused to undergo training, but a source close to the man alleged he did nothing wrong and that a row over procedure and red tape was to blame.

The same source, an experienced volunteer within SJA’s Bury unit, who has asked not to be named in fear of losing his role, has said that other volunteers have refused to take on the man’s former role, in solidarity with him.

Some members have quit in protest and others are reluctant to undergo training in case it causes problems for them, the source claimed.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said: “Due to a number of issues involving an individual’s refusal to undergo training, we took the decision to close the Bury unit. We have attempted to recruit a new youth leader to keep the unit functioning, but unfortunately we haven’t been able to find anyone suitable.”

Without a leader, the youth groups cannot function, and the adult section has also folded. The badgers group had 10 members aged between five and 10 and they met weekly at Bury Fire Station.

The cadets group had 30 members aged between 10 and 18 and met weekly at Holy Trinity Church in Spring Street, Bury.

Youngsters learn first-aid, how to use a defibrillator, go on courses and take part in competitions against other units.

The older children also help the adult group provide first-aid cover at social events.

The adult group, which had 12 members, also met weekly at the church.

Concerns have been raised that schools, other charities and voluntary organisations could suffer as the SJA Bury unit can no longer provide first-aid cover at small-scale events, such as fun days and summer fairs.

A source said: “One of the things we do is provide medical cover for Bury Football Club home games. If this problem isn’t sorted out by August, that could be an issue.

“Overall, this group is one of the oldest SJA units in the entire country. It is a piece of history disappearing before our eyes, which is a massive shame for all our members, especially the children.”

Another member of the unit, who asked not to be named, said: “The voluntary group, which met on Wednesday evenings in Bury, welcomed members of the community aged five and above and, not only taught first aid, but a number of other life skills.

“The unit played a vital role within the town, providing a range of first-aid cover at public events and for several years had also become one of the best first-aid teams in the country.”

The SJA spokesman said its staff continue to make efforts to resolve the situation and they remain open to talks: “We are willing and open to meet with the badgers’ and cadets’ parents to discuss the future of the unit but, to date, we’ve not received an appeal from them. SJA has clear and comprehensive policies in place to ensure the protection of our volunteers and young people.”