Lancaster & Morecambe Community First Responders

The 3R Foundation recently awarded £954 to Lancaster & Morecambe Community First Responders for a replacement AED (defibrillator).

Lancaster & Morecambe Community First Responders are trained volunteers who respond to emergency 999 calls on behalf of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, providing vital early care while an ambulance crew is on its way.

Responders attend incidents including cardiac arrests, breathing difficulties, unconscious patients, falls and other life-threatening medical emergencies across Lancaster, Morecambe and the surrounding area. They give their time voluntarily and carry essential lifesaving equipment in their own vehicles, allowing them to respond quickly within their local communities.

Crucially, the equipment carried by the volunteers is funded entirely through donations and community fundraising, with no funding from the NHS.

Three of the team's existing defibrillators had recently reached the end of their operational lives and had to be taken out of service. Without the required clinical equipment, individual volunteers cannot respond to emergency calls, meaning fewer responders are available when every minute can make a difference.

The 3R grant funded one replacement AED, putting this vital piece of equipment back into the hands of a volunteer responder and helping the team continue providing potentially lifesaving treatment before an ambulance arrives.

The 3R Foundation funds grants like this through the Recycle, Reuse, Rehome charity shop in Carnforth (next to Tesco).

Every purchase in the shop helps fund grants for local charities, clubs and community groups across North Lancashire and South Cumbria. Please support the shop so we can continue helping even more organisations in our area.