Late Christmas presents for Solihull volunteer life savers

Tuesday 21^st January 2014 – 4.30pm – Claire Brown.

A 16-strong group of volunteer life-savers have been given the keys to not one, but two brand new cars to help respond to 999 calls in Solihull.

FastAid Community First Responders (CFRs) are everyday members of the public trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service in lifesaving techniques to a nationally recognised level. They carry a variety of equipment including a defibrillator (a device used to restart the heart of someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest), oxygen and First Aid dressings and bandages.

Carstins are supporting the Balsall Common based CFRs with a SsangYong Korando; the group’s very first dedicated car. Guest Motors have given the Knowle and Dorridge CFRs a Fiat Panda; the eighth car the dealership has provided.

The Mayor of Solihull and Meriden MP Caroline Spellman met with Fastaid CFRs last week (Friday 17^th January) to officially hand over the car keys for their new sets of wheels on behalf of the two car dealerships.

Sam Jackson, Chairman of FastAid Solihull, explained just how important the two new cars are: “Guest Motors has been sponsoring a car for Knowle and Dorridge for some years now and we are very appreciative for their continuing support.  FastAid also welcomes the new involvement of Carstins. We are immensely grateful to both companies and proud of both of these new, fully liveried responder cars which are a fantastic asset”.

Councillor Joe Tildesley Mayor of Solihull, said: “This shows amazing cooperation between car dealerships and Fastaid and is a wonderful initiative. Within the last 12 months, Fastaid have been to more than 1,000 patients and I’m sure many lives have been saved. Long may this fantastic asset to Solihull continue.”

Mark Lines, General Manager for Guest Motors, said: “This is the eighth car we have provided to Fastaid and we are as proud as ever to support the charity. The tough four wheel drive Fiat Panda seemed the ideal vehicle, particularly if we see ice and snow this winter.”

Elliott Cartwright, Dealer Principal of Carstins in Balsall Common, said: “We are very proud to be associated with Fastaid and support this extremely worthwhile cause by providing the use of a new special edition Korando throughout 2014. I am sure this vehicle will provide exceptional service to assist with their emergency responses.”

Andy Jeynes, the Trust’s Community Response Manager for Birmingham and Solihull, said: “Not only is the dedication and hard work of the CFRs vital in making Fastaid the success it is, but it’s also thanks to the support of local businesses and residents alike.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Photograph (left to right back): Carstins Dealer Principal Elliott Cartwright, Guest Motors Mark Lines, MP Caroline Spellman, Councillor David Bell, CFR Jeff Way, CFR Ben East, CFR Terry Flower, Community Response Manager Andy Jeynes, CFR Linda Atherton and Alice Hawkins. (front) Councillor Joe Tildesley Mayor of Solihull and Fastaid Chairman Sam Jackson.