KNUTSFORD Community First Responder Trust (KCFRT) has been awarded a second successive Gold Cardiac Smart Award by the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

KCFRT achieved its first award in 2013, jointly with Knutsford Town, for their work in placing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) throughout Knutsford and for the trust’s Heartstart training programme.

The trust has scooped the prestigious award once again this year, with the 2014 gong awarded for the trust’s exceptional First Responder service to Knutsford and surrounding area and its efforts in training almost 300 residents in a year in life-saving skills.

Adrian Rees, KCFRT chairman and Heartstart coordinator, said: “We are thrilled that KCFRT has been again recognised with a second successive Gold Cardiac Smart Award by the North West Ambulance Service, highlighting the work and dedicated service put in by our teams of volunteers throughout the year.

“I am also delighted that Booths have agreed to display both our awards alongside its AED at the entrance to its Knutsford store. Booths were one of the first stores to purchase and display an AED in Knutsford, which was an important milestone in getting the project off the ground, and encouraging other businesses to follow suit.

“We’ve built a close relationship with Booths over many years and are grateful to the store and to Booths generous customers for supporting our fundraising activities each year.”

Due to the trust’s efforts over the past 12 years, Knutsford now has more AEDs per head of population than any other town in the UK. Knutsford residents are never more than one minute’s walk away from AED in the town, significantly increasing the chances of a casualty surviving a cardiac arrest.

Ian Jacques, store manager at Knutsford Booths, said: “It’s a pleasure to support the work of the Knutsford Community First Responder Trust in bringing defibrillators to the town—and more importantly in training members of staff and the community to use the equipment correctly and safely.

“The defibrillator at Booths has been used to save lives on more than one occasion and we hope more companies will purchase this vital equipment and continue to improve the safety of the community.”

Book a place on a KCFRT Heartstart course by calling Adrian on 01565 631324 or book online at heartstartknutsford.co.uk.