Murray Hamer has been flying medical supplies and test kits to and from Haida Gwaii since May. (Photo Courtesy: St. John Ambulance B.C./Yukon)
supporting community

St. John Ambulance volunteer continues supporting northern communities despite COVID-19

Jul 23, 2020 | 5:00 AM

TERRACE—Many charities across the province and the country have felt the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while the pandemic has impacted many aspects of the charity world, it hasn’t tapered the dedication of some volunteers.

Murray Hamer is the Terrace Divisional Superintendent of St. John Ambulance (SJA) BC/Yukon, as well as a commercial pilot, and while SJA volunteer programs have been paused—due to the COVID-19 crisis, Hamer is still serving northern B.C. communities.

He has been suiting up and combining his roles as a commercial pilot and an SJA member by travelling to Haida Gwaii up to twice a week to deliver medical supplies and COVID-19 test kits to the islands off the northern B.C. coast.

Hamer has been with SJA since 2008 when he says the division was first created in Terrace. SJA is a 900-year-old humanitarian organization with a mission to improve people’s health, safety and quality of life by training community members in first aid and CPR.

Originally he was asked to fly test-kits from Terrace to Vancouver, however, that changed after Terrace received it’s own COVID-19 testing device.

“We are constantly looking to recruit new members.”—Murray Hamer, St. John Ambulance BC/Yukon, Terrace Divisional Superintendent

“We are getting a lot of youth starting to come into it (SAJ),” says Hamer, adding that he believes it is highly important to be taught first aid and CPR as you never know when you may encounter a situation in which you may need it.

Hamer began flying test kits to and from the islands of Haida Gwaii in early May and says he is passionate about continuing to share first aid and CPR knowledge with up-and-coming generations.