Voluntary First Aid will honour its commitments until December this year, when it will disband on a national level.

The Mid Western Volunteer Aid Team has been working in the Bathurst region since 2002, attending functions such as Bathurst Harness Racing and the greyhounds, as well as various other sporting events both in Bathurst and other regional areas.

Volunteer First Aid Regional Liaison Officer Rob Steenson said while volunteers were obviously dissappointed with the decision to abandon the program, the Red Cross had over 130 programs running and had to redirect resources to where they were most needed.

“It’s very hard to get volunteers these days, so Red Cross has to concentrate its efforts where it perceives things are going.

“They have to have the manpower to able to do what they need to,” he said.

Mr Steeson said the volunteers involved in the first aid program had a number of options available to them, but said hopefully the volunteers would rediect their talents to another part of the Red Cross.

On the downside, he said the volunteers felt very disappointed the service was being cut, because there was never any question about the quality of service provided.

“The change in direction took everyone by surprise, and many of the people involved are like family members,” he said, adding, he hoped the volunteers could now channel their energy into something else worthwhile.

Mr Steeson said the Red Cross would remain active in the Bathurst community, offering services such as Red Cross shop, breakfast clubs, emergency services team and the provision of trauma teddies to children in hospital and traumatic situations.

Red Cross Australia thanked all volunteers involved in the first aid program saying over the past 18 months, Red Cross has examined all its services to make sure we remain relevant and effective in addressing emerging humanitarian issues and helping the most disadvantaged people in these difficult financial times.