The Salvation Army, a charity that provided help to the emergency services immediately after the July 7 London bombings, has launched a new rapid-response vehicle Wednesday.

|TOP|Sponsored by readers of The Times newspaper, the new vehicle was unveiled at Shoreditch Fire Station, and will replace an older model which was used in the wake of the suicide attacks.

As part of the City of London's official major incident response strategy, The Salvation Army emergency vehicles were sent to Kings Cross, Liverpool Street, Edgware Road and Russell Square on July 7 last year, where staff and volunteers provided round-the-clock support for the emergency services during the month that followed the bombings.

Major George Pilkington, leader of The Salvation Army in Central London, said the unit would make a big difference to the charity's response to major incidents.

He said: "Our main task during major incidents is to provide hot meals and drinks and pastoral care for the emergency services and others affected. This new vehicle, with up-to-date on-board facilities, will help us to fulfil our role more effectively.

"It is always exciting to take delivery of new equipment, but this emergency vehicle is all the more special because it has been paid for by the public through The Times Christmas Charity Appeal.

|AD|"The new vehicle will carry not only our own Salvation Army logo, but also The Times insignia as a constant reminder of the generosity of so many thousands of people who donated to that appeal."

More than £250,000 was donated to The Salvation Army as a result of the appeal. The charity said the money would be spent on a range of projects across the UK and Ireland, including helping the homeless, working with families and young people and providing support to people trying to beat addiction.

Anne Spackman, managing editor of The Times, added: "I am sure readers of The Times will feel a sense of pride when they see the new Salvation Army vehicle on the road.

"The Salvation Army struck a deep chord with our readers, turning this year's appeal into our most successful charity fundraising venture to date."