Medals for SWASFT volunteers

Volunteer Community First responders from the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) were presented with commemorative Coronation medals or coins by Peter Philips, son of HRH The Princess Royal, in Gloucestershire, as part of Volunteers' Week.

The event, held at Masonic Hall in Stroud, was to thank the 90 local volunteers, for dedicating their spare time to supporting the ambulance service and providing emergency care within their local community.

During the event Peter Philips awarded 60 volunteers with a Coronation medal and/or coin.

Mr Phillips was also shown one of the six SWASFT community response vehicles, which has been purchased through the South Western Ambulance Charity, with a grant from NHS Charities Together.

The cars have made a huge difference to SWASFT volunteers. In one year across Gloucestershire the community response vehicle has notched up 2,750 hours of service and helped 700 patients.

Jane Whichello, Head of Volunteering and Community Services, at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are always looking to recognise and celebrate the great work our volunteers do across the whole Trust.

"Combining a Volunteers' Week event in Gloucestershire, to recognise them, plus the opportunity to present them with Coronation medals and coins was a perfect way to do that.

"We would like to thank Mr Phillips for attending our event and for learning more about the vital work of our volunteers."

Patient-facing volunteers play a vital role in helping the region's ambulance service to respond to 999 calls and deliver emergency care to patients, often ahead of an ambulance arriving on scene. In Gloucestershire volunteers this year have given over 25,500 hours service and helped over 3,100 patients.