999 support charity celebrates 10 years

1:10pm Wednesday 15th October 2008

A CHARITY set up to help the ambulance service save the lives of people living across the country celebrated its 10th anniversary this month.

First Response, which has its headquarters in Pickwick Park, Corsham, was set up by Scott Bateman after his father suffered a fatal heart attack and it took an ambulance more than 20 minutes to attend.

Rather than blaming the ambulance service, which was stretched to the limit, he said he wanted to do something to prevent the same thing happening to someone else’s loved one.

He said: “I was offered a short sabbatical in my career in the RAF. I approached Lincolnshire Ambulance Service with an idea of utilising volunteers from the RAF to provide an emergency First Responder service in their county.

“The scheme was then launched on October 8 1998.”

Since the launch, First Response has grown to cover the East Midlands, the east of England, as well as teams directly supporting the Scottish Ambulance Service and ambulance services of the North East, South Central and Great Western.

The majority of volunteers are serving members of HM Forces and come from varied roles, like Mr Bateman, who is a pilot.

For more information on First Response visit www.first-response.org.uk

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