Awards go to volunteers

Volunteers who support the ambulance service in Staffordshire have been recognised for their life-saving contribution.

West Midlands Ambulance Service held a champagne reception and awards ceremony for its Staffordshire volunteers.

The ceremony recognised the achievements of Community First Responders, County Air Ambulance fundraisers and voluntary car drivers.

It was held at The Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club, Meriden, last Friday.

The awards were presented by the High Sheriff of Warwickshire, Mr Andrew Arkwright, and ambulance trust chief executive Anthony Marsh.

The regional event was attended by mayors and mayoresses from all over the West Midlands region, along with 300 guests.

Mr Marsh said: "This is our opportunity to thank the volunteers from all the counties covered by West Midlands Ambulance Service who, over a number of years, have provided assistance to the public."

Award winners from Staffordshire included Eccleshall Community First Responder Robert Carruthers, who was one of the first volunteers to join the scheme. He received a Chief Officers Commendation.

Ambulance spokeswoman Claudine Weeks said he had attended an average of between six and ten heart attack patients per year, with "excellent" survival statistics.

"His dedication and clinical excellence has ensured that many patients have lived to tell the tale," she said.

Other award winners included Community First Responder of the Year (South Staffordshire) Matt Jevons, who set up the group and also covers Codsall and Telford.

Community First Responder of the Year (Staffordshire) was former coordinator David Holt for his work in Mayfield and Ellastone in the north of the county.

Voluntary Car Driver of the Year was Eric Emery who has worked in Staffordshire for 11 years. Claudine said: "Eric is a caring and conscientious member of staff.

"His gentle approach to the job and his willingness to drop everything at a moment's notice has made him hugely popular with patients, hospital and control staff alike."

Longest Serving Community First Responder (South Staffordshire) was Helen Lowe, who is based in Pattingham and has been with the scheme for four-and-a-half years. Longest Serving Community First Responder (Staffordshire) was John Clarke who recruited volunteers, raised funds and arranged sponsorship, and now works as a community paramedic in north Staffordshire.

The Community First Responder awards for most incidents attended went to John Freeman, who has been to more than 80 cases in three years, and Colin Palmer, a founder member of the Abbots Bromley scheme. Other Chief Officers Commendations went to Wombourne Community First Responder Sarah Hodgetts, Pattingham responder Kenneth Whalley, stores manager Martin Minard and coordinator Duncan Parsonage.