Monday 4th June 2016 – 4.30pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.
Two of the region’s Community First Responder (CFR) groups have received the most prestigious award a voluntary organisation can get.
Rugeley and District CFRs and Burntwood and Cannock Chase CFRs have been recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2018 for providing emergency medical aid, training and lifesaving equipment to those living and working in their local community.
CFRs are members of the public from all walks of life who give up their spare time to help make a difference in their communities. They offer an invaluable service by way of helping to reach those people suffering from medical emergencies in the remote rural communities, prior to the arrival of an ambulance. For many illnesses or injuries, the first few minutes are critical and simple interventions can be performed in order to save lives or prevent disability. As well as providing care for people in their local area, the CFRs also spend a considerable amount of time teaching other people vital first aid and life-saving skills.
Rugeley and District CFRs’ Group Co-Ordinator, Sean Cooper, said: “We are extremely proud and honoured to have received this award for the recognition of our commitment and the work which significantly benefits our local community. We are really grateful that our community took the time to nominate us for this award and have always shown their outstanding support towards our group and our responders.”
Dan Walsh, Burntwood and Cannock Chase CFRs Group Co-Ordinator, said: “Receiving an award such as this is incredibly exciting and rewarding. When we received the news that we had won the award, we were so happy. Our team of responders and fundraisers work incredibly hard for our community and to be rewarded for this at such a high level is something we should all be proud of.”
WMAS Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh said: “To see the two CFR groups recognised in this way is absolutely fantastic and thoroughly well-deserved. I am extremely proud of both of them.
“The role CFR groups play in the success of West Midlands Ambulance Service cannot be underestimated. CFRs do a tremendous job and put in a huge amount of hours in their own time to help patients in their hour of need. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our CFRs for the work they do on a daily basis.”
Both CFR Groups are set to receive their awards from the Lord Lieutenant later this year.
For more information about the groups, to make a donation or find out more about joining them, please go to: http://www.burntwoodcfr.org.uk and www.radcfr.com.
Note to Editors
Picture Captions:
Burntwood – Group Co-Ordinator, Dan Walsh, and Treasurer, Eddie Malpass, are pictured at the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace last week.
Rugeley – Rugeley and District CFRs.
Ends