A Volkswagen dealer has donated a brand new Volkswagen Caddy to a local ambulance charity for use as a first response vehicle.
Brian Currie Van Centre in Milton Keynes made the donation to South Central Ambulance Charity in Newport Pagnell. The charity supports local ambulance services in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire.
The converted Volkswagen Caddy van will be used by the charity’s team of volunteers to deliver potentially life-saving first response care to residents of Newport Pagnell and the surrounding area.
Operated by trained volunteers, the Community First Response team exists to support the local ambulance service by providing rapid response and emergency first aid treatment before an ambulance arrives.
Developed to respond to local residents in need of immediate medical assistance, the van is equipped to help people suffering from a cardiac arrest, stroke, breathing difficulties and diabetic or asthmatic attacks. Before it was handed over, it was fully racked out to help safely carry the specialist medical equipment, fitted with a light beacon and sign written with graphics.
The new vehicle will play a vital role in the community, with the charity responding on average to approximately 100 incidents every month. The size of the Caddy is ideal for first response use, as it is big enough to carry necessary equipment like oxygen, defibrillator and general medical supplies, yet small enough to get around narrow laneways and car parks.
In addition to donating the vehicle, Brian Currie Van Centre will also provide maintenance and servicing on the Caddy for the next two years, as well as paying for the vehicle’s road tax.
Brian Currie, chairman of Brian Currie Van Centre, said: “The Community First Response team in Newport Pagnell plays a significant role within the town and is responsible for saving the life of numerous local residents. As a local business, we are very grateful for the work that the volunteers do and very happy that we can help keep this charity going through the donation of one of our vans.”
