4X4 for SCAS responders

After 6 years of fundraising South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation
Trust's (SCAS) Mortimer and Burghfield Community First Responder Scheme finally
raised enough money to purchase a new Ford Kuga 4x4.

Within 24 hrs of taking delivery the vehicle proved its worth in responding to a medical emergency in Mortimer when it was able to navigate safely through areas of partial floodwater without any problems en route to a patient who had suffered a seizure and was unresponsive.

Due to substantial donations from the Stratfield Mortimer Relief in Need charity, Kuhne & Nagel and others living or working in the local community they were able to purchase the
vehicle.

David Hamer, SCAS' Community Responder Liaison and Training Officer for West Berkshire said: 'This vehicle is the end result of many years of fundraising. As well as being an excellent vehicle for the area it will be covering, its visibility within the community has generated interest from locals who are keen to find out more about becoming a Community First Responder for their local ambulance service.

'My thanks go to David Gregory and Richard 'Jacko' Jackson for their constant hard work in raising the funds to purchase this excellent resource for the local community.'

SCAS has around 1600 volunteer Community First Responders (CFR), all trained in basic life-saving skills to provide early and often vital intervention for patients experiencing life-threatening medical emergencies in the immediate vicinity of where they live or work whilst an ambulance is en route.