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Rev Peter Rickman

BRANSGORE vicar the Rev Peter Rickman has a fulltime job looking after the spiritual needs of his parishioners.

Now he has taken on the task of dealing with their physical needs when their bodies fail them.

Mr Rickman, 39, is the latest recruit to the Bransgore and District Community Responders team and is on call for several hours every week to rush off and deal with medical emergencies until ambulance crews get to the scene.

He has just completed his training, which includes operating the group's heart defibrillator, and is now the ninth member of the team.

On his first few calls he will be assisted by another team member. After that he will be operating on his own.

He said: "Having just completed my Emergency First Response first-aid course while training as a rescue scuba diver I saw the appeal for people to join the Bransgore Responders.

"So I thought I would volunteer as I am always in the village and district as its vicar and I can provide the much-needed assistance with covering the daytime shifts.

"It's a responsibility and a challenge and one which I look forward to very much."

The emergency group's chairman Mike Jukes said: "Peter responded to our call for extra volunteers and we are extremely pleased to welcome him to the team.

"As our local vicar he is already well known and respected, and is at the heart of the community."

The group needs a few more people to help and anyone interested can contact co-ordinator Adrian on 07855 331360.

Weekend training is carried out by the South Central Ambulance Service.

The group operates in Bransgore and the neighbouring villages of Burley, Sopley, Avon, Ripley, Winkton, Waterditch and parts of Burton.

12:09pm Tuesday 4th March 2008

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