A COMMUNITY First Responder for Ludgershall and Tidworth has set up a national website to help inform the public about the scheme.

Simon Howlett has set up the National UK Community First Responders (CFR) website at 999cfr.co.uk with the help of other responders and healthcare professionals.

It provides information about the CFR scheme as well as up-to-date contact details for the ambulance trust and local groups.

It also has a social network for responders and healthcare professionals.

First responders are volunteers who usually use their own car at their own expense to help people in their local community in life threatening medical emergencies while paramedics are en route.

They don’t attend road accidents or incidents of violence but go to medical emergencies where it is essential for the patient to receive immediate life-saving care such as cardiac arrests, breathing difficulties and unconscious patients.

The website launched on March 23 and has already had more than two million hits.

Any local businesses interested in sponsoring the website can get in touch with Mr Howlett at admin@999cfr.co.uk.

• The Ludgershall and Tidworth CFR group won a Tidworth Community Area Award for Outstanding Voluntary Services to the Community last week.