OLD Thorns has launched its very own volunteer community first responder team, which can help victims with heart attacks, seizures, strokes calmly and professionally, dealing with medical emergencies, providing sometimes life-saving first aid to a patient in the crucial minutes before an ambulance arrives.

Team members are Greg Shaw, Stuart Long, Simona Ginkute, Ryan Cook and Michael Withers, who were trained to deliver life-saving skills such as the use of an automated external defibrillator, basic airway management and oxygen therapy, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR at the Griggs Green golf hotel.

Greg said: “Due to the volume of people and the range of activities that are undertaken at Old Thorns and looking at incidents and situations we have been faced with in the past – I felt the standard first-aid training we had available didn’t provide our team with the adequate skills and confidence required when faced with life-threatening situations.

“After speaking to Georgina Dunbar from South Central Ambulance Service, I realised through first responding we could not only provide a better level of care for our guests but also provide a service to our local community as a way of giving back to people for their support and custom over recent years.

“The team here has impressed me so much with their commitment to the scheme so far and there has been a real feel good factor when the responders have returned from jobs that we have had so far and when they know that we have been able to be there to provide quick and effective support when people need it most.

“The great news is, other members of the Old Thorns staff have seen the positive impact the scheme has had so far and want to get involved so we are hoping to expand our team of responders in 2017 which will provide even better coverage and support for the local community going forwards.”