CHRISTMAS ARRIVES EARLY FOR CFRS


Norton/Burntwood and Brownhills District CFRs with the Norton Canes Parish Councillor and PC 
Paramedics staff.

The Norton/Burntwood and Brownhills District Community First Responder (CFR) scheme has received almost £1,500 in donations from the public and local organisations.

CFRs are groups of volunteers that respond to emergencies on behalf of West Midlands Ambulance Service, prior to the arrival of an ambulance.

CFRs are local to their communities and can help reach those people in rural areas suffering from medical emergencies 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.

Although trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service CFRs are entirely funded by charitable donations.

In a bid to raise additional funds the Norton/Burntwood and Brownhills District CFRs recently held a Christmas Fete at Burntwood's Springhill Primary School. The day went extremely well, seeing hundreds of people attend throughout the day, raising £300 for the group.

Alongside the fundraising fete, the scheme has recently received a number of large donations from organisations including Norton Council, PC Paramedics and Rugeley Lions. The group has also received a bequest of £300.

Group co-ordinator Sam Westley said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to all who have offered donations to the group. In total we have managed to raise almost £1,500. This money will certainly help the group to continue responding.

“The scheme, which consists of three responders, has attended to approximately 1,300 calls since March (approx. 200 calls a month) so you can imagine fuel costs and car maintenance cost mount up substantially.”

For more information about the responders please visit http://www.nbbdcfr.org/