Cheque support for Community First Responders

The cheque was handed to Anthony Hopkins and Derek Wilson at Arun Civic Centre last week after the Partnership was impressed by CPR training given earlier in the year by the voluntary organisation. The Community First Responders also oversaw the installation of a defibrillator in Littlehampton High Street last year, paid for by funds raised by the Partnership, along with a generous contribution from local residents.

Arun District Council Chairman, Stephen Haymes, who attended one of the training sessions, said: “Arun District Council was happy to host the training sessions. The one I attended really put you through your paces, but it was great and you really felt you were learning a potentially life-saving skill. The trainers were excellent and I think it is really good that the Littlehampton Traders’ Partnership has given recognition to the Community Responders for their dedication to the community.”

Simon Vickers,chair of the Littlehampton Traders’ Partnership, said: “We really take our hats off to these guys. They give up their time for free to go out and help people in distress. And it’s not just the time they spend going out on calls, but the fact they dedicate so much of their free time to being on-call. The training sessions they ran last year were so informative and inspiring. I would encourage anyone to attend any CPR training provided by the Community Responders.

“We are happy to give this modest contribution as we know that the responders, like many other voluntary groups, have to pay for some of their own equipment and uniforms.”

Branch Community First Responders started out more than 10 years ago in Bognor Regis as “Bognor First Responders”, and now also cover the coastal strip from Bognor Regis and Chichester in the West, to Ferring in the East.

Anthony Hopkins, branch responder, said: “We remain a small local charity, entirely reliant on donations to survive. It costs us approximately £2,500.00 to fully equip each of our responders with the life-saving equipment they need. The role of a CFR, (Community First Responder) is to provide vital emergency medical care, before the arrival of a traditional ambulance. Getting prompt medical attention to someone in cardiac arrest is the key to giving that individual the best chance of recovery.

“We would like to thank Arun District Council for their support and also the Littlehampton Traders Partnership for their kind donation of £100.00. This will help us towards our raising our target of £1,000.00 to buy a smart CPR training manikin, this is vital to training our volunteers to the very highest standards.”

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