Longtown lifesavers’ jubilee medal celebrations
Last updated at 14:45, Friday, 22 June 2012
When groups see one of their members recognised for their achievements, it’s always cause for celebration.
But in Longtown an organisation dedicated to helping the community has nine reasons to cheer.
That’s how many First Responders have been awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
They have been honoured for their long service to the town.
Chairman Steve Whyberd, 58, said: “There are 10 of us but the medal was only awarded to people with five years or more service to the town.”
The medal recipients are delighted with the recognition they have received.
Their job is to provide immediate first aid to people suffering conditions such as heart attacks.
They are seen as especially important in rural areas where ambulances may take some time to arrive at the scene.
The care they provide can be crucial for survival.
They are trained in techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Alongside this, each member has his own defibrillator, which costs between £400 and £600.
The group is completely self-financing and covering costs to provide equipment is extremely challenging.
“It takes a lot of fundraising,” said Steve.
Being a First Responder is also a heavy commitment. “We are on-call 24/7,” added Steve.
Volunteers go through intensive training in Preston over two weekends and are kept up to date with relevant developments in first aid.
They carry buzzers with them, and might have to attend an incident at any time.
Steve, who is a training manager for haulage firm William Armstrong, is grateful his employer is understanding on the subject.
However, he also pointed out that he is rarely away from his desk for any more than one hour.
Steve was one of the founder members of the group, which was set up back in 2004. Most of those honoured were founder members of the group.
But they are keen to add new people to their ranks and anyone interested in joining can contact Steve on 01228 791537.
The nine medal winners were: Carol Joyce, Carol Adams, Margaret McGuiness, Derek Murray, Joyce Underwood, Steve Whyberd, Sue Lawman, Paul Steele, Yvonne Mitchell.
First published at 14:08, Friday, 22 June 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk
More Grange news
- TV star to lead the way during inaugural South Cumbria cycling event (5 comments)
- Disused Grange pool may be knocked down
- Grange jewellery thieves jailed
- Cumbria County Council election
- Grange child porn man turned in by own sister
- Cumbria man found in possession of child porn
- Cumbria police appeal after £4k quad bike stolen in South Lakes (2 comments)
- Two-hour struggle to free digger stuck in mud at Grange
- My 50 golden years patrolling the sands to Morecambe Bay
- Historical food expert to attend Holker festival in Cumbria
- Thieves swipe safe from Grange family butcher
- Lindale farmer buried hard drug stash (1 comment)
- Drug dealer "spooked" by car hides drugs stash on South Cumbria farm (4 comments)
- South Lakes residents invited to comment on dog control orders (4 comments)
- Thief blasted for targeting wishing well
- South Lakes restaurant gets AA cooking award
- Flookburgh based Bay Search and Rescue charity in bid to boost funds (2 comments)
- Driver praised after collision
- South Lakes energy scheme recharged (1 comment)
- UPDATED: South Lakes man located
- Satnav stolen from locked car in Grange
- Post box blown up in Grange
- Grange event starts festive fun
- Judge retires after 20 years on bench
- Dedicated volunteer set to meet royalty at event
Hot Jobs
Featured companies
Evening Mail homepage
ENERGY FOR LIFE 5.1k WALNEY FAMILY FUN RUN
Did you enjoy the Energy For Life 5.1k Walney Family Fun Run?
• Click here to pledge to take part in next year's event on September 2, 2012
Handy Links
Vote
Quick links
- ‘A woman and half my lands to kill last wolf’
- Cartmel races
- Judge set to hear legal arguments in Millom murder case
- Thug banned from every pub in Carlisle's Botchergate (14 comments)
- Cartmel Races
- South Lakes schoolfriends jump for joy
- No title
- Cartmel Race for Life
- Millom recycling centre is a ‘death trap’ (5 comments)
- Christmas party plan for Longtown's old folk
- The lowdown
- Grange Disability Action Group
- Cartmel Race for Life
- Cartmel races
- ‘Doting’ Grange mum, 25, dies after seizure
- South Lakes council supports flood scheme in Grange (1 comment)
- ‘A woman and half my lands to kill last wolf’
- Judge set to hear legal arguments in Millom murder case
- Thug banned from every pub in Carlisle's Botchergate (14 comments)
- Cartmel Races
 | ||||||||||||
|
 | ||||||||
|
