Bishop’s Castle Community Community First Responders receive new 4×4

The Kia Sorento replaces the Ford Mondeo previously used by the group of three active volunteers in Bishop’s Castle.

The scheme co-ordinator, Mary Pullen, is well known for being a non-driver but she can rely on ‘buddy’ drivers to get her to medical emergencies.

Costing £12,000, the vehicle was paid for from the CFR scheme’s fundraising and a Shropshire Grassroots Grant of £5,570.

Cliff Medlicott, West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Community Response Manager for Shropshire, said: “This vehicle, with its 4 x 4 capabilities and greater ground clearance will be of great benefit to the volunteers responding to 999 calls in the countryside. We are very grateful for the Shropshire Grassroots Grant.”

Jan Dodd from Shropshire Grassroots said: “Our grants panel recognised that a 4×4 would greatly increase the ability of the group of volunteers to respond to patients and emergencies in very remote rural communities in Shropshire within minutes of receiving a 999 call. There are grants still available for small community groups in Shropshire and the next deadline for receipt of applications is the eighth of June. For more information, contact me on 01743 342171 or email jan.dodd@shropshire-rcc.org.uk”

Community First Responders are everyday members of the public trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service to a nationally recognised level to provide lifesaving treatment to people in their local communities. They provide vital aid quickly to those living in remote rural locations prior to the arrival of full-time ambulance personnel.

If you are interested in becoming a Community First Responder in Shropshire, call Cliff Medlicott, West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Community Response Manager on 07884 050877 or call the CFR admin office on 01743 273677 or email CFRAdmin@wmas.nhs.uk