The UK’s leading online card, gifting and flowers retailer, Moonpig has stepped up to support the Flying Christine III by sponsoring the fuel for the St John marine ambulance for the year of 2020.
Alan Rimington, Production Director at Moonpig said: “The work of the Flying Christine III is invaluable for our local communities and we are proud to be able to contribute to their operations to keep this important service going.”
“Moonpig has been in Guernsey for sixteen years, so we were looking to help a local cause and the Flying Christine is unique to the Bailiwick, so it fits perfectly,” he added.
Chief Ambulance Officer Mark Mapp said: “We are extremely grateful to Moonpig for their generous support for St John and the Flying Christine. The vessel provides an essential life-line service for the other islands and relies on sponsorship and donations from businesses and individuals, knowing that the fuel costs for 2020 were covered at the start of the year was a real bonus.”
The Flying Christine III is staffed by two medical clinicians led by a paramedic from the emergency ambulance service and volunteer skipper, engineer and navigator from the local maritime community. The vessel is equipped in the same way as an emergency road ambulance and provides pre-hospital care and emergency transport for patients in Herm, Sark and Alderney as well as cruise ships and other vessels requiring medical assistance in Bailiwick waters.
The Flying Christine III was built in Guernsey and launched in 1994. She celebrated her 25th anniversary in November 2019 with a rededication service and celebration at St Peter Port harbour. 
Moonpig also sponsored the St John Ambulance Guernsey Christmas cards last year and have kindly offered to support the charity in the same way this Christmas.
The Flying Christine III is funded by charitable donations, bequests and sponsorship, it does not receive any financial support from the States of Guernsey, as it does not form part of the contract with Health & Social Care.
Any Guernsey resident who is a member of the St John Subscription Scheme is covered in the event they require the marine ambulance in a medical emergency. Anyone who is not a member of the scheme will be charged for a Flying Christine response. A separate Marine Ambulance Subscription Scheme is available for non-Guernsey residents.