West Norfolk first responders need a healthy new car

West Norfolk’s First Responders are facing an emergency of their own which can only be cured with some outside help.

They need to replace the ailing community car which has done them proud but is sadly beyond repair.

“We don’t want a supercar – just something economical, practical and, above all, reliable,” said Ethan Leys, who is deputy co-ordinator for the group.

They have just launched an appeal for help to buy a replacement or to find a company prepared to supply one. They need to find at least £6,000 to buy a car and on top of that need help with running costs.

He explained that as an ‘arm’ of the ambulance service, Community First Responders provide assistance at medical emergencies until a fully equipped ambulance arrives. Their intervention can be crucial to saving a life, especially in the case of a cardiac arrest.

They are all volunteers and rely on donations to keep them on the road.

There are groups all over the county and the West Norfolk team of 15 responders covers an area from Hunstanton down to the Walpoles.

Although there are times when they have to use their own vehicles the essential area car is available for use by those responders on daily shift duties.

Ethan said that when their last car became unreliable, a couple from Hunstanton kindly donated a Fiat to keep the team mobile in the short term.

This now has more than 120,000 miles on the clock and is starting to need attention.

“The time has come for us to find something to replace it,” said Ethan.

He added that they are grateful for donations and sponsorship they have received so far, including from Lynxbus and King’s Lynn Signs.

They are asking that further donations should go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/janet-luck-2