Colleagues & Community Funding - Bridgnorth Community First Responders

Tell us a little about yourself 

My name is David Yates - I have worked for the Society for 14 years, I'm currently the Store Manager of our Kinver Food store in South Staffordshire.  

Alongside my full-time role with Midcounties, I volunteer with Bridgnorth Community First Responders (CFRs). CFRs are volunteers who respond to emergency 999 calls within their local community who have received medical training from their local ambulance service. We respond when available, in our own time (without pay) to emergency 999 calls in both urban and rural areas and provide life-saving skills to patients in our local community until an emergency ambulance vehicle arrives. 

CFR volunteers are affiliated with a local charitable scheme within their community and all CFR schemes are designed to be financially self-supporting. Although the Ambulance Service will provide all necessary support, training and consumables, CFRs must raise funds for their uniform, equipment and vehicles. 

David Yates, Kinver Store Manager

You recently got involved in providing community funding to a local organisation, can you tell us a little more about this?

I had seen the grant schemes advertised previously and had encouraged local groups within our store area to apply, but hadn't thought about applying myself on behalf of a charity I work with. So back in February when the last round of grants opened, I spoke to our CFR scheme leader and asked if they would be happy for me to apply on the scheme's behalf. Ultimately the scheme was looking to purchase a replacement Defibrillator for the scheme Vehicle. 

How important was this grant for your chosen organization?

This grant was much welcomed and appreciated from Midcounties, it enabled us to have a new Defibrillator with 3 lead ECG capability which was an upgrade from the previous Defibrillator, it meant that when we are tasked to 999 calls and need the Defibrillator, we can not only provide lifesaving treatment but monitor the patient until the emergency ambulance arrives. 

How important are Defibrillators in the community now?

Defibrillators in the community are a vital lifesaving piece of equipment, A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest. This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it's an essential part of trying to save the life of someone who’s in cardiac arrest.  

With World Heart Day coming up on 29^th September it's the perfect reason for colleagues and members to learn more about Defibrillators and how easy they are to use, plus find out where your nearest one is. A number of our trading sites & offices already have them on-site, so get in touch with your local CFR schemes and see if they can come in and show you and your teams how a Defibrillator works. You can also even spend 5 or 10 minutes on the British Heart Foundation website to learn more about Defibrillators here.

With Community Funding opening soon on 23^rd August, would you recommend your fellow Midcounties colleagues to get involved?

I would definitely recommend it to any colleague. You just need to be part of an organisation that relies on funding to apply. All for a fantastic cause, it's great that Midcounties offers this, let alone for colleagues. So why not encourage your fellow colleagues and members to apply for the funding? Click here to find out more.

David with colleague Danielle Beevers