CHEADLE RESIDENT SKYDIVES FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE 

Sixty year old John Dean will be jumping 10,000ft from an aeroplane in a bid to raise money for Cheadle First Responders.Mr Dean, who has lived in Cheadle for 30 years, will be taking on a tandem skydive for charity in Whitchurch today. 

Talking about the parachute jump Mr Dean said: “Unfortunately I lost my wife, Carol earlier this year, and it was decided that donations made at the funeral would be given to West Midlands Ambulance Service for the Cheadle First Responders.

“Following the donation I received a lovely thank you letter from the service and it has encouraged me to think about raising more money.

“I decided to do a skydive as it is something I have always thought about doing but have never got round to. Following the events of this year, I have really been driven on to do it and raise some money for a good cause.”

The Cheadle community first responders are volunteers that respond to emergencies on behalf of West Midlands Ambulance Service, prior to the arrival of an ambulance. CFRs are trained by the Ambulance Service to a nationally recognised level and help reach those people suffering from medical emergencies in the remote rural communities fast. In many illnesses or injuries the first few minutes are critical and simple interventions can be performed in order to save lives or prevent disability.

Duncan Parsonage, Community Response Manager said: “Community First Responder Schemes are entirely funded by charitable donations, so any donations from the local community are greatly received.

“CFRs help reach those people, suffering from medical emergencies, in the remote rural communities fast. In many illnesses or injuries the first few minutes are critical and simple interventions can be performed in order to save lives or prevent disability.

“I would like to say a huge thank you Mr Dean on behalf of the Service and the CFR group. His previous donation and future fundraising efforts really could help to save more lives within Cheadle.”

The local community in Cheadle have really supported the CFR group and earlier this year the responder group were able to purchase a new 4x4 response vehicle thanks to the communities generosity.