MEMBERS of Knutsford’s first responders team have been rewarded for their efforts at the trust’s annual get-together.

Awards were handed out to Knutsford Community First Responders Trust heroes at Knutsford Golf Club last week, where members also enjoyed food, entertainment and the music of Sight ‘n’ Sound.

The highlight of the evening was an awards ceremony, which saw volunteers recognised for going the extra mile in supporting life-saving services within the town.

KCFRT chairman Sal Thompson presented the ‘Special Recognition’ awards, thanking volunteers for their work in providing first responder cover, Heartstart courses, defibrillator installations and two Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) screening days.

The winner of the Consider it Done Award was Siew-Mei Brennan.

Attending all Knutsford and Wythenshawe Heartstart courses as a facilitator and general kitchen manager, she also supported a number of events throughout 2017.

Sal’s ‘Chairman’s Award’ went to Carol Robertson. A paramedic who has helped establish links with the North West Ambulance Service, Carol also volunteers as a Heartstart trainer and facilitator.

NHS worker Tom Donald picked up the ‘Heartstart Player of the Year’ award.

Sal said: “This person is another ‘can’t get enough of my job’-type person.

“He works all day with the NHS as a doctor and then volunteers to deliver Heartstart courses, not only in Knutsford but also setting up and helping to run the new sub group in Wythenshawe. Tom has trained the most Heartstart courses in the past year.”

Emily and Pauline Coffey – known among volunteers as Team Coffey – collected the ‘Cheerleader Award’ for their ‘gung-ho’ approach to fundraising and their enthusiasm on the job.

Volunteers helped raise thousands of pounds to provide the vital services in 2017 and beyond.

The ‘WOW Award’ was presented to Sylvia Thomas. As reported in the Guardian, Sylvia was on-hand while off-duty to help save a life with a defibrillator, after a neighbour’s family member collapsed on the driveway.

Sal said: “Sylvia managed to put goosebumps on everyone’s arms and raised a celebratory flutter in our hearts.”