Awards for FastAid at the West Midlands Volunteer Awards 2011

Courtesy of West Midlands Ambulance Service

An awards ceremony was held in November to honour members of the public from across the West Midlands region who have gone beyond the call of duty to help save lives and support the work of West Midlands Ambulance Service’s 4,000 staff.

The event, at Treetops on the grounds of West Midland Safari park in Bewdley, recognised the efforts of Midlands Air Ambulance fundraisers, voluntary car drivers, members of St. John Ambulance, Severn Area Rescue Association, Community First Responders, 4×4 drivers and people who helped West Midlands Ambulance Service recruit members as part of its plans to become an NHS Foundation Trust.

Addressing the audience, West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive Anthony Marsh described how the organisation is supported by 1,500 volunteers, a thousand of whom are Community First Responders.

Presenting some of the awards, Lady Morrison, the High Sheriff of Worcestershire said “I want to congratulate the winners because what you do is to provide the backbone service to West Midlands Ambulance Service. Without you, without your dedication, without your generosity of your time, this ambulance service could simply not run. I am very honoured and very, very proud to be giving these awards.”

A very big congratulations to all the members of the FastAid team receiving awards on the evening (photos are on the FastAid website photo gallery), award details are as follows:

Samantha Jackson, Terry Flower, Yvonne McHugh, Karen Ratcliffe, Linda Atherton, Mark Atheron and Tim Atherton – “Distinguished Service Award”

These founder members started FastAid, the first community responder scheme in the Birmingham area with sponsorship and support from Guest Alfa Romeo and Touchwood Shopping Centre in Solihull.  Tim Atherton has recently been successful in gaining full-time employment with the West Midlands Ambulance Service as a paramedic at Henrietta Street ambulance station, he has now stepped down from his duties as chairman and this award recognises his excellent contribution to the charity over the last 5 years.

Terry Flower – “Chief Officer Commendation”

During one of his many shifts, Terry received a call from a cricket club in Dorridge.  On arrival he discovered a young man in a collapsed condition.  As he began to treat the patient, he noticed the patient deteriorating into cardiac arrest.  He attached the defibrillator, shocked the patient and commenced resuscitation.  The patient left hospital and made a full recovery, a real tribute to Terry’s  skills, dedication and commitment to the community response scheme.  This was his second nomination of the evening.

Amanda Box and Jenni Mackay - “Distinguished Service Award”

Amanda and Jenni are responsible for maintaining uniform and equipment for the Black Country area of FastAid.  Both demonstrate a strong commitment to all aspects of community initiatives undertaken in the Halesowen area.

Laura Fleming, Carol Waite and Ian Waite – “Distinguished Service Award”

Carol, Ian and Laura are truly inspirational in responding and engaging with their community.

Ian Hughes – “Chief Officer Commendation”

Ian is a CFR in Pelsall for FastAid and on the 30th March this year he responded to a cardiac arrest on his first case during his first shift as an active CFR!  He attended to an unconscious man at Pelsall Community Centre immediately putting his newly acquired skills to the test and began CPR.  A crew and rapid response vehicle quickly arrived and they all continued advanced life support and  managed to shock the patient back into a rhythm with a defibrillator.