Harpenden volunteer responder shortlisted for prestigious ambulance award

Vivienne Ford, team leader of the Harpenden CFR group, has been shortlisted for the Keith Marshall Award for Distinguished Service at the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust's Stars of EEAST awards.

The awards night is an annual celebration of some of the incredible work that ambulance staff and volunteers do. This year the event is being held on Thursday 11 September.

Over the past 18 months, Vivienne has been integral to the growth of the Harpenden CFR Group. The group began with just one volunteer responder, but there are now currently seven active CFRs with more in the process of being recruited.

CFRs are volunteers who are trained by the ambulance service to help respond to certain medical emergencies in the area where they live or work, such as cardiac arrests or falls. On top of this, they also hold training sessions in the community to increase awareness of how to do effective CPR and give basic first aid.

This year so far, Harpenden CFRs have responded to 159 medical emergencies in the area. They have trained over 1,350 members of the public in basic life support, including CPR.

Vivienne said: "I was incredibly honoured and touched to learn that I had been nominated for this award. I love volunteering as a community first responder and being able to help people in my community. Our group has grown quickly thanks to my wonderful co-founders, Monica and Neil, and the incredible commitment of our volunteers who are very active responding to calls, training people in CPR and visiting schools to inspire the next generation through first aid and volunteering.

"It's lovely to be recognised in this way, and I feel very fortunate to be part of such a dedicated team of volunteers across EEAST who give so generously of their time to support their communities."

Vivienne does two shifts a week as a volunteer responder, as well as delivering at least two training sessions per month.

Kathleen Bowman, Community Response Manager for Hertfordshire, said: "Vivienne exemplifies everything a Community First Responder should be. She works seamlessly with other CFRs and ambulance crews to provide the best possible care to our patients, and she's an asset to the Harpenden community. I congratulate her on being shortlisted for this award, and fingers crossed for the awards night!"

The Stars of EEAST awards celebrate the extraordinary contributions of staff and volunteers across the Trust. Winners will be announced at the ceremony on 11 September.