ARRIVE Alive funds vital lifesaving vehicles and equipment for Community First Responder groups (CFRs) who attend life-threatening medical emergencies.

CFRs are trained volunteers who are dispatched via a 999 call, they can reach a medical emergency in those vital seconds/minutes prior to a road or air ambulance due to being directly based within the heart of the community.

A new voluntary operated lifesaving vehicle has been launched with the support of Solihull Chamber of Commerce. During their two years of support, the committee and members of Solihull Chamber of Commerce have helped to raise an amazing £21,596.96.

The new 4×4 vehicle will be used to attend the most immediate threat to life medical emergencies and will be dispatched following a 999 call. Each vehicle is allocated to an area by West Midlands Ambulance Service, the new vehicle will be operated by Droitwich Community First Responders.

Andy Jeynes Community Response Manager for West Midlands Ambulance Service UNHSFT said:

“Arrive Alive has already supplied lifesaving equipment in addition to a number of vehicles for Community Responder Schemes. These Volunteer Community First Responders are recruited and trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service, attending the same National Training Academy in Dudley as our full-time staff. They are trained to deal with medical and traumatic emergencies and use the same communication equipment as our Emergency Ambulances to respond to 999 calls within the community.

“Our Responder schemes are totally self-funded and Arrive Alive support our schemes by supplying equipment and vehicles across the region. Potentially every vehicle that becomes operational is possibly another life saved. There are still a large number of groups who still require resources which I hope Arrive Alive will be able to continue to fund in the future.”

Debbie Roscoe from Arrive Alive said:

“To be able to support the community with additional medical resources is fantastic. However, none of this would be possible without the amazing support of the presidents of Solihull Chamber of Commerce throughout our two years Robert Elliot and Tony Elvin. The relentless support from the head of Solihull Chamber of Commerce Samantha Frampton has been wonderful, Sam has been fully committed to championing the lifesaving work of Arrive Alive. I would like to pass on a massive thank you from the Arrive Alive team to every individual who has supported Arrive Alive, it is greatly appreciated. Additional vehicles and equipment are urgently needed to enable Arrive Alive to support the voluntary lifesaving superheroes who are on the frontline supporting the ambulance service.”

Each vehicle and piece of lifesaving equipment is solely funded by donations, Arrive Alive is a non-government, lottery or NHS funded charity.

To find out more or to donate, please visit: www.arrivealiveresponse.co.uk.