LIVES already responds to more than 20,000 people in 999 medical emergency but the funding boost will allow the Lincolnshire charity to recruit and train new responders along the east coast of Lincolnshire, and deliver immediate pre-hospital health care within minutes of a 999 call being placed.
With some east coast residents living more than one hour away from a major trauma centre, coupled with a massive increase in population over the summer months, it is vital that each community has an active first responder service, with volunteers trained and equipped in this to help deal with the most serious of medical incidents before further help arrives. Delivering immediate medical treatment within the first few minutes of an emergency can save lives.
This grant will allow LIVES to recruit, train and equip 19 new responders in key areas across the east coast to ensure that the charity's responders can attend adult medical emergency calls day or night, 365 days a year. The new LIVES first responders will be trained to deal with all kinds of emergencies from traumatic injuries such as falls and road traffic collisions, and medical emergencies such as chest pains and cardiac arrest.
Nikki Silver, CEO of LIVES commented,
"We are very grateful to DONG Energy for funding the recruitment of new first responders through the East Coast Community Fund to allow us to provide immediate medical care in to more people in need along the east coast. Our responders make a huge contribution to their communities throughout the year, responding to emergency calls day or night and whatever the weather. We're often the first people at the scene of an emergency and our actions save lives. Therefore to be able to build up our responder team along the East Coast is going to make a lifesaving difference."
Natasha Nanuck, Stakeholder Advisor at DONG Energy said:
"DONG Energy is committed to supporting the local areas and communities in which we operate and we are delighted that this contribution from our East Coast fund is going to such a worthy cause. LIVES provides a vital service on the East Coast and we commend the dedicated volunteers and first responders who save lives in the community."
As part of the programme, LIVES will host a series of first aid taster sessions including CPR within the community, to help develop knowledge and confidence to people when an incident does occur.
To learn more about LIVES first responders, and how to volunteer as part of the programme please visit www.lives.org.uk
Editors' Notes:
For more information, contact:
Faye Wood at LIVES on 01507525999, fwood@lives.org.uk
Liz Payne – GrantScape: 01282 543775 or 07963 987653 liz.payne@grantscape.org.uk
Juliette Sanders – Ørsted: +44 (0)207 811 1181 julsa@orsted.com
LIVES is a registered charity which provides a timely and skilled response by trained volunteers to medical emergencies throughout Lincolnshire. When you dial 999 not only will an ambulance be mobilised, but at the same time, the LIVES volunteers on call in your area will also receive notification that you need their help.
LIVES community first responders are volunteers based in local communities who are trained to deliver timely life-saving interventions. Our medic responders are qualified healthcare professionals – doctors, nurses, paramedics and technicians – who provide advanced or critical medical care to support the ambulance service. LIVES responders will attend more than 20,000 emergency calls in Lincolnshire this year.
LIVES was formed in 1970 following a horrific road accident on the A1 at Catterick in which the casualty died through lack of immediate medical care. This triggered two Lincolnshire doctors, Dr Michael Cooper from Nettleham and Dr Richard Harper-Smith of Tetford to develop the services of a voluntary group of doctors who would be available to attend road traffic accidents to provide assistance to the emergency services.
LIVES was born – a scheme designed to provide a high level of emergency medical assistance for road traffic accident victims and other trauma cases. Over the years, LIVES has saved thousands of lives in Lincolnshire following traumatic accidents. In 1999 LIVES developed a First Responder scheme for Lincolnshire in which members of the public are trained to deliver emergency first aid to patients who have dialled 999 in their community.
About GrantScape
GrantScape is a grant-making charity committed to enhancing the environment and strengthening local communities through its grant programmes. GrantScape's experience stretches back to 1997 and it has awarded grants totalling over £80 million to deserving projects over this time.
GrantScape manages a range of community and environmental grant programmes on behalf of corporate and local authority clients. These are tailored to their individual requirements, which is the charity's speciality. In addition, GrantScape offers a professional project management and grant process review service to groups requiring support with these activities.
For further information, please see: www.grantscape.org.uk or follow us @GrantScape1
About the East Coast Community Fund
DONG Energy has committed to a Community Fund worth approximately £465,000 each year for 20 years. £75,000 of the Fund each year is ring-fenced for a 'Skills Fund'.
The Fund supports community and environmental projects along the Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the North Norfolk coasts (as far as Wells-next-the-Sea), within a defined area. It is split equally between two annual funding rounds. There are two levels of grants available:
Small grants between £1,000 and £5,000
Main grants between £5,001 and £50,000
Applications to the Fund are made using an online application system via the GrantScape website: www.grantscape.org.uk.