By ANGELA KELLY, Features Editor THEIR black and white uniforms are so familiar at every kind of sporting and social event that they're almost invisible.

Yet, without the local members of the St John Ambulance, Bolton Wanderers could not play each week, marathons could not be held and even Bolton Little Theatre productions would be affected.

More and more these days, events involving the public demand first-aid cover. It is written into sports' procedures and even some insurance regulations. Sheila Butterworth knows that this cover is vital. But, as divisional superintendent of the Bolton Central division of the local St John Ambulance - the busiest in the area - she struggles to fulfill every request.

"I can't say no to people, but it is increasingly difficult for us to cover everything," she explained.

The result is that members like Sheila find themselves often busy with events during the week, and with weekends solidly booked. In one memorable week, Sheila did 58 hours on duty.

"Yes, we do need more members," she says, with masterly understatement.

Members provide first-aid cover at football matches (they also cover Manchester United), Bolton Rugby Club matches, events like Bolton Show and the Mini-Olympics and a surprising variety of sporting and social occasions.

Anyone can join the St John Ambulance, male or female, aged from 17 to 63.

Initially, there is two hours' training a week for six weeks, then three full days and an exam. Certificates are awarded by charity, and they provide the uniform and pay travel expenses to events.

In return, members are asked to attend a minimum of 12 training meetings a year, and give a minimum of 30 hours' duty a year.

They go out in twos, always with an experienced partner, and a medical bag containing "the basics." Although, as Sheila adds: "Really, you are the first-aid service. You can stop someone bleeding or start their breathing, and you can improvise equipment if you have to."

She joined the St John Ambulance in the 1970s, partly because she was a nursery nurse and wanted to know more about first-aid for her job, and partly because her son didn't want to take his first-aid certificate on his own.

Bolton Central division president Brian Kerwin, however, joined as a young schoolboy in Eccles. This early introduction lead to a life-long association with St John Ambulance, and a distinguished career in nursing.

He became president 18 months ago.

Divisional secretary Margaret Wrzosek was a St John Ambulance cadet as a girl, and returned just a couple of years ago because she was "fed up not being able to help properly in an emergency."

This feeling is something which attracts many people to the organisation, and it is entirely justified. Brian, for example, was able to offer timely practical help at a fatal road traffic accident one day. And Sheila can still recall the relief and satisfaction when she re-started the breathing of a man.

All agree that their training has given them confidence, and that they often need all their skills and commonsense to cope with an unusual variety of incidents and injuries.

They know that the service is appreciated by the public and organisations which need their cover. But, sometimes this is not translated into much-needed donations on which they rely. They never charge a fee but still have expenses to meet.

As well as the adult members, Bolton Central has a thriving cadet section which meets each Tuesday evening in St Edmund's Church Hall off Deansgate in the town centre. Youngsters are introduced to first-aid and related subjects like hygiene, and take practical exams in an enjoyable but informed atmosphere.

For St John Ambulance members generally, the organisation offers the camaraderie borne of a group of people doing something useful for the community. But they also admit that they're not a sombre lot and enjoy a laugh with the best.

They would, however, like to hear from local people who would enjoy joining their ranks - and sharing the kind of knowledge that can, quite literally, save lives.

If you would like to know more, contact Brian on Bolton 840316 or Sheila on Bolton 695821.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.