REDDITCH First Responders held a successful fundraising and awareness day at the Kingfisher Shopping Centre on Saturday, April 5.

Community First Responders are unpaid volunteers working on behalf of West Midlands Ambulance Service to provide time critical life saving treatment prior to the arrival of an ambulance crew.

The Redditch team consists of 12 everyday people who work hard to provide 24 hour cover in the local community.

A spokesman said: "As we are responsible for supplying our own medical equipment, fundraising is vital to us and we would like to thank everybody who donated to us at the Kingfisher Centre and helped us to raise a tremendous £1,347.10."

The group was supported on the day by Tracy Coward from Barclays Bank and she helped out on the day selling raffle tickets and signing people up for a cake competition. She also kindly chose to support the First Responders charity using the Barclays £4£ Fundraising match, meaning it will receive an additional £1,000 courtesy of Barclays Bank.

The group also thanked Redditch business Rachel's Cupcakes for donating an amazing sweetie cake for a competition to raise more funds.

The event also saw the official launch of the charity's new Honda CRV 4x4 response car sponsored by Redditch Lions.

The spokesman said: "We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the group for their continued support which enables us to increase the level of cover that we can offer to West Midlands Ambulance Service.

"And may we also take this opportunity to thank Councillor Pattie Hill for her donation of £500. Pattie has shown a huge level of support to Redditch First Responders and we were delighted to see her at our big event as well. Our thanks go to Pattie for her never-ending support.

"And finally can we express our most sincere thanks to each and every one of you who supports our charity - whether it be with donations, spreading the word, or attending our free first aid courses - we are overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of our community.

"We are proud to be your team of Redditch voluntary lifesavers and we aim to continue growing our team in order to provide the best service possible."

If you would like to know more about us please visit our Facebook page which is www.facebook.com/redditchcfr or contact us via e-mail redditchcfr@hotmail.co.uk