South East Coast Ambulance Service’s (SECAmb) Eastbourne Area Community First Responder Team has been honoured with the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest accolade a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

 

With the team having responded to more than 1,000 incidents since the start of the year, the award recognises their commitment to serving the local community through emergency response and life-saving care as well as educating members of their community in basic life support skills.

Together, the Eastbourne CFR team have dedicated over 2,000 hours this year responding to emergency incidents. The CFR team’s volunteers are trained to respond to a variety of emergencies, including cardiac arrests, strokes, falls, and breathing difficulties – ensuring that critical early intervention reaches those in need as quickly as possible.

The team’s commitment to ensuring the safety of their local community extends further with the team dedicating their time to also provide education on life-saving skills, helping people feel knowledgeable and confident to provide aid in times of need. This year, the team have given basic life support training to hundreds of people in the local area, highlighting their strong commitment to helping their community.

This achievement is testimony to the significant service provided by the Eastbourne CFRs, who give their time freely to assist people in medical emergencies before the arrival of an ambulance. Their quick response, compassion and care make a critical difference in saving lives and providing reassurance during moments of crisis.

Team Leader, Richard Bradford said: “All of our team are extremely honoured and humbled to win such a prestigious award. We all took on this role simply because we wanted to help people and to be recognised for the difference we make in our local community is a really special moment for us all.”

SECAmb Operational Team Leader and team member, Steph Meech said: “This recognition places the Eastbourne CFRs among a special group of volunteers whose work has made a significant and lasting impact. It’s a moment of immense pride not only for the team but for all of us who have witnessed their contribution first-hand.”

The team will be presented with the award by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex Mr Andrew Blackman. Representatives of the team will also be invited to attend a Royal Garden Party to mark their achievement.

You can find out more about our CFR roles by visiting our website here.