Over £17,000 raised for LIVES by Lincolnshire Co-op customers

LIVES First Responder Gary Bolton, Lincolnshire Co-ops Hayley Baggott, LIVES First Responders Andy Kerry and Carl Belcher, LIVES Fundraising Manager Stephen Hyde and LIVES Medic Tony Tempest. EMN-150421-134721001

To celebrate its 45th year, Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Services (LIVES) has been nominated as Lincolnshire Co-op’s Community Champion in outlets across the county.

LIVES is now half way through its stint as a Community Champion and shoppers are encouraged to help boost the total over the remaining six weeks.

The Community Champions scheme sees every one of the Society’s 231,000 members linked to a good cause close to where they live.

Until June 6, every time they use their dividend card in any Lincolnshire Co-op outlets where points are issued, a donation from the Community Champions pot will go to LIVES or their equivalent local First Responder group.

The £17,856 which has been raised so far will go towards training and buying vital medical equipment such as defibrillators and specialist kit for the LIVES Medics.

LIVES Fundraising Manager Stephen Hyde said: “The support Lincolnshire Co-op is giving us as Community Champions is invaluable, not just for the fundraising but also the awareness it is giving people as to how important their local community first responders and medics are.

“In a large county such as Lincolnshire, arriving in the first few minutes of a serious 999 medical emergency can make all the difference. So we ask the people of Lincolnshire to continue their support by shopping in their local Lincolnshire Co-op.”

LIVES Medics and First Responders are all volunteers who give up their time to respond to emergencies in their communities. When people dial 999, not only will an ambulance be mobilised, the LIVES Medic or Responder on call in the area will also receive notification that help is needed.

First Responders are trained and equipped to provide care before an ambulance arrives for everything from cardiac arrest and breathing difficulties to collapsing and fits. LIVES Medics have advanced skills for dealing with serious trauma, associated with road traffic collisions and industrial/farm accidents.

• Anyone over 18 with a car who is able to lift 20kg can become a first responder and be taught to deliver CPR. LIVES is also keen for registered health care professionals to volunteer their time as medics. Find out more at www.lives.org.uk