A GROUP that provides vital emergency and often lifesaving care has been given a helping hand.

Redditch Community First Responders, which provides life saving treatments until an ambulance arrives on scene, recently launched an appeal for a new car after having to take their Honda CRV off the road.

The 4x4 vehicle failed its MOT and the charity simply didn't have the money to enable repairs and ongoing maintenance.

However, after seeing the story in the Advertiser local garage JGS Autos immediately contacted the charity to offer its support.

The garage, in Weights Lane, worked tirelessly to get the Honda back on the road and the car is now fully operational thanks to a donation of parts and labour.

Nicola Carroll, from JGS Autos, explained that they were keen to help a local charity and in turn the local community. She added that JGS Autos will now be the official garage and will provide priority service for any of the Redditch First Responder emergency vehicles.

Redditch First Responder Kelly O'Brien said: "We are so very grateful to local businesses who support us and very much look forward to working alongside JGS Autos in the future.

"Without support of local businesses and donations from the public we simply couldn't exist."

Redditch Community First Responders work on behalf of West Midlands Ambulance Service to provide life saving treatments to residents.

The charity will be holding a fundraising and awareness day at the Kingfisher Shopping Centre on Saturday, April 18.

For more information, visit facebook.com/RedditchCFR.