A LIFE-SAVING group of volunteers from Knutsford are urging people to join them as they struggle to meet high demands.

At a recruitment drive held at Jubilee Hall on Friday 17 July from 2pm, the Knutsford First Responders hope to find volunteers who are critical to continue and expand on the service that they provide.

The First Responders, a group of trained voluntary workers from around the area, take time out of their routine to work shifts attending emergency calls alongside paramedics.

The group work with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) providing cover in the event of an emergency call, often arriving before an ambulance can.

Adrian Rees, chairman of Knutsford Community First Responder Trust, said: “We are desperately in need for more people to come in.

“We are repeating what we did when we first founded the charity, going out and asking the general public to help.

“In the last 12 months the time of response has been increasing. It makes it even more important to have responders to keep that person alive until the paramedics get there.

“Last year we answered over 290 emergency calls, which is a 100 per cent increase on the year before.

“Eighty per cent of the time we are on the scene at least 10 minutes before the ambulance- that is a critical window.”

At the moment the First Responders are only covering 38 per cent of the routes, and they are hoping that the recruitment drives will at least double this activity.

Adrian is now urging people to take a short amount of time out of their day to attend the event and learn more about the role and its responsibilities.

He said: “We are looking for like-minded people who are prepared to support their community.

“Volunteers don’t need any previous training or medical knowledge; they just need to have the right temperament.

“All our volunteers work shifts just alongside their full-time jobs.

“There is nothing to worry about- we just want people who feel they would like to use some of their time to help out.

“I would urge people to come to the meeting – until you know what it is all about you never know if you would be suitable. When you go way you might think- I would like to give that a go but you will never know if you don’t try.”

Director of Operations at NWAS, Derek Cartwright, will be at the event also explaining the vital role that volunteers can play in emergencies.

There will also be a special guest who will be announced closer to the time.

For more information about the event, or to volunteer, visit www.knutsfordfirstresponders.org.uk