The 2008 Charities
South Woodham Ferrers Community First Responders
South Woodham Ferrers Community First Responders, who regularly attend medical emergencies in Woodham Ferrers, will benefit from 50% of the proceeds of the 2008 Woodham Ferrers & Bicknacre Dog Show.
In 2007, we raised money for the Danbury, Bicknacre and Little Baddow Community First Responders Group, who answer calls in Bicknacre. They were able to buy two training mannequins, a training defibrillator and other assorted equipment. This year, we are supporting South Woodham Ferrers Community First Responders who serve the communities of South Woodham Ferrers, Woodham Ferrers, North Fambridge, Rettendon & District, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Community First Responders are unpaid volunteers, trained by and working with the East of England Ambulance Service in emergency life support and CPR (heart massage for cardiac arrests). Responders take turns ‘on call’ to attend 999 emergency calls to patients suffering potentially life threatening conditions; they are dispatched at the same time as an ambulance but, being much more local, are usually first on the scene.
In the UK someone has a heart attack every two minutes yet only 1% of the population is trained in the vital skills that can make the difference between life and death. Studies have shown that if a series of events take place in sequence, a heart attack victim has a greater chance of survival. These events are known as the chain of survival: early recognition; early access to medical help; early defibrillation; early CPR; and early advanced life support (with things like the right drugs). Responders are a key part of that chain. From June 2000 to December 2007 SWF’s Responders answered over 1,200 calls - this now averages over 250 per year - and have played a key part in saving three lives of local residents.
Responders attend monthly training sessions to improve knowledge and skills and are assessed every six months to ensure they are up to the job. When on duty they give their time, stay in the area, literally drop everything when mobilised and use their own cars to reach the patient. The East of England Ambulance Service provides the operational kit, but training is entirely self-funded and funds raised are used to buy various items of training equipment.
We regularly see First Responders in Woodham Ferrers and cannot think of a better cause; they bring us early re-assurance and help when we are at our most needy.
Essex Air Ambulance
The Essex Air Ambulance has been providing an emergency helicopter ambulance service to the people of Essex for the past 18 years and during that time is has flown over 8,500 life saving missions. The Air Ambulance costs in excess of £105,000 each month to operate and receives no funding from the NHS, central government or the National Lottery. It is only through the generosity of people that they are able to continue to provide this essential service.
The 2007 Charities
Danbury, Bicknacre & Little Baddow First Responder
Danbury, Bicknacre and Little Baddow First Responders are unpaid volunteers, trained by East of England Ambulance Service in Emergency Life Support and CPR. We take it in turns being 'on call' to respond to emergency calls to patients in our area who are suffering from potentially life threatening conditions.
In the UK someone has a heart attack every 2 minutes. Only 1% of the population is trained in the vital skills that can mean the difference between life and death. Studies have shown that if a series of events take place in a set sequence, a heart attack victim has a greater chance of survival. These events are known as the chain of survival: Early Recognition, Early Access, Early Defibrillation, Early CPR and Early Advanced Life Support. We form part of that chain. Additionally we run free 'Emergency Life Support' sessions for local residents.
We conduct our own training to improve our knowledge and skills. East of England Ambulance provides our operational kit but for training we are entirely self-funding and are currently looking to purchase various items of equipment and it is for this reason that funds are being raised.
The Fell & Moorland Working Terrier Club
This organisation was formed in 1967 to provide a rescue service for terriers lost to ground in the course of their natural working activities.
The aims of the club then are the same as they are today: To rescue trapped terriers; to improve the breeds of working terriers by retaining old strains; to encourage the art of working terrier shows and to provide a foster service if required.
The F&MWTC not only work to free their members' trapped terriers, but have also extended their resources and expertise to rescue pet terriers trapped below ground.
Always remember your terriers, Protect them from wet and from cold
For the love of a Tyke for its master, Can never be measured in gold
The Fell & Moorland Working Terrier Club, PO Box 1108, Bedford, MK43 0XQ