AN EVESHAM opticians has marked February’s national heart month by raising more than £200 for the town’s first responders.
On Valentine’s Day, the team at Specsavers store in Bridge Street, took on a sponsored CPR-a-thon in aid of Vale of Evesham Community First Responders.
Taking on the gruelling four-hour challenge, colleagues took turns performing CPR on a practice dummy as customers came out in force to support them.
6With many wanting to get in on the action themselves, customers, including some youngsters, jumped at the opportunity to learn the life-saving skill, with the first responders on hand to provide guidance.
Their efforts made £240 for the volunteer group that provides life-saving medical care in the critical minutes before an ambulance arrives.
The cash has gone towards the purchase of much-needed medical equipment to kit out the brand new response vehicle recently unveiled by the organisation.
“I’m so proud of our team and how they smashed this CPR challenge,” said Anna Blyth, store director at Specsavers Evesham, which is independently owned and managed.
“A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support us, donated to the cause and took part themselves.
“Of course, the funds we raised are incredibly important, but what’s more significant is the life-saving skills we all walk away from this challenge with.
“Throughout the day, the first responders team were just fantastic, we couldn’t have done it without them.”
The Vale of Evesham Community First Responders are a team of volunteers who provide life-saving interventions in Evesham, Pershore, Broadway and the surrounding villages.
Working in partnership with the West Midlands Ambulance Service, they receive training to give them the skills to provide emergency medical care until paramedics arrive on scene. To find out more, visit https://voecfr.org/.
