A GROUP of volunteers helped provide first aid assistance during an event celebrating organ transplantation in Oxfordshire.
The European Transplant and Dialysis Games, which welcomed 400 athletes from all over Europe, all transplant recipients or dialysis patients, opened with a parade at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford and took place over a week at Radley College and at the Blenheim Palace.
Community first responders provided first aid support alongside the event’s own medical volunteers and the medical clinic at Radley throughout the week.
They are members of the public trained to support the ambulance service primarily by responding to medical emergencies and sometimes providing lifesaving first aid to patients before paramedics arrive.
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The group, which attends 30,000 incidents every year, is funded solely by South Central Ambulance Charity, which provides equipment, training and is responsible for the vehicle fleet.
Last Wednesday (August 24), the charity’s chief executive Vanessa Casey spent the afternoon with volunteers and participants for the badminton rounds and finals.
She said: “It was inspirational to meet some of the competitors and a real privilege to present the medals for the badminton tournament.
"We are delighted that our Community First Responders were able to support this event and provide important first aid cover.”
Community first responder Ashley Woodruff said: “It was great to see so many great sporting games knowing we were ready to help the athletes If they needed us. Meeting competitors from all over Europe and supporting them has been a very rewarding experience for us.”
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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi