A LONG-SERVING Community First Responder (CFR) has launched a crowd-funding appeal for a replacement car so that she can react rapidly to life-threatening emergencies along the Wrexham-Shropshire border.

Effie Cadwallader, who is now responding for the Welsh Ambulance Service, is still covering some of the same area, but is without a scheme car.

And with first responders not receiving officially-sourced funding, she says they must raise sufficient money to pay for uniform and equipment, and is hoping people may be able to help her out.

“Previously, when I volunteered with a neighbouring ambulance service , I managed to raise enough to finance a car, and with the help of local businesses and private donations, the running costs were covered," said Effie, who used to volunteer for Wes Midlands Ambulance Service.

“Now that I am with Wales, I miss the former car I was using and I’m hoping the communities I serve will give me their support.”

As a member of the Wrexham Rural First Responders team, all volunteers responding for the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust, she still attends calls in her home village of St Martins and the surrounding communities, while her “patch” now extends to include Chirk and Llangollen, the Ceiriog Valley, Overton, Penley, Bettisfield and the outskirts of Ellesmere.

“Having a dedicated car with high-viz markings is an absolute boon,” she said.

“Without blue lights, the striking livery can help with ease of passage, and eccentric parking at an emergency is forgiven. It keeps the CFR much safer, and seeing the car`s arrival is a huge relief to the patient.”

Effie has set a target of £10,000 with the help of the on-line GoFundMe page and the group is also looking into sources of match-funding.

In addition to the purchase price, an extra £1,000 must be found to cover the cost of livery and insurance, plus another £1,000 a year for running costs, including the road fund licence, servicing and MOT.

“The car would not belong to me personally, but to the Wrexham Rural CFR group, which is strong, growing, well organised and well managed," she added.

“I anticipate that a car would be booked on with us for several hours a day, seven days a week, as has always been the case.

“Having a dedicated car means a faster and more efficient response to calls. It can be loaded up and ready to go, with all the equipment required on a daily basis so no need to transfer equipment from car to car and risk leaving behind something essential.

“A dedicated car would also make it easier to transport the manikins and training defibrillators used by CFRs when delivering Defibrillator Awareness courses across the Wrexham and North Shropshire regions.”

Effie would be immensely grateful for contributions to the CFR Car Appeal. To make a donation via Go Fund Me please go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/effies-community-first-responder-car

For information about donating by cheque or BACs, please contact Effie at aloevera13@outlook.com