Lifesavers thanked for long service (From Salisbury Journal)

Lifesavers thanked for long service

10:00am Saturday 1st September 2012 in News By Karen Bate

FIVE members of the Fordingbridge First Responders have been thanked for their dedication to saving lives with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals.

Tribute has been paid to Nigel Lunt, Dean Palmer, Louise Palmer, Angie Adlam and Vanessa Wood, who have served the scheme for at least five years, giving their time to attend medical emergencies.

Accidents Since the voluntary team was formed in 2004, they have attended thousands of accidents and emergency call-outs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to bridge the gap between an incident and the arrival of South Central Ambulance Service staff.

All first responders who have given five or more years’ continuous service to the scheme were put forward for the award.

There are about 1,600 responder volunteers throughout the county, of which 60 were eligible for the Jubilee Medal.

First responder Nigel Lunt said: “It is great to receive recognition for all the hard work that we do. It is a great honour to receive the Jubilee Medal.

“The First Responders scheme was set up to deal with life threatening incidents in our community and we aim to be at the scene within eight minutes.

“We are a valuable asset, and as volunteers, we rely totally on donations to keep us mobile and kitted out.”

Funds The Fordingbridge First Responders raise their own funds to upgrade essential equipment and to maintain the service. The cost to train and kit out each member of the group is about £3,500.

Mr Lunt added: “We are always looking for donations. We work around our own jobs and try to fund raise in between. It is very hard.

“At the moment we are trying to raise money to upgrade our kit; we are always needing to buy new kit bags, which cost about £150 each, new oxygen masks and gloves.”

If anyone would like to make a donation to the Fordingbridge First Responders, call Mr Lunt on 07831 101882.