After leaving the military in 2012 and dealing with long term illness soon after. I've now found myself in a position to be able give back to the community that has helped and taken care of me. I've recently volunteered and trained as a Community First Responder with East Midlands Ambulance service.

Community first responders (CFRs) have been compared to the Ambulance Service equivalent of retained fire fighters or Police specials, however I think they are more like the lifeboat crews of the RNLI, they are all volunteers and are self funded through donations.

CFRs answer and respond to local emergency calls and provide life saving first aid in those vital minutes before an ambulance arrives. Ambulance target response times are 8 minutes. Studies suggest that every minute defibrillation is delayed in cardiac arrest, chances of survival drop by 10%. CFRs carry automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and are trained and equipped to provide oxygen therapy. They live in the community and therefore can be at an emergency inside of 8 minutes.

On average it takes £1500-£2000 to equip a CFR. I've used some of my own money to start purchasing equipment but with big ticket items such a defibrillator costing £500+ I'm obviously looking to the generosity of others to help me fully equip myself with the intention of responding to emergency calls in the first weeks of the new year.

So if you live in the wider Ilkeston area your donation could and will directly help people in the community, maybe a loved one, a friend or even a family member may benefit from myself or another volunteer arriving just a few minutes before an ambulance in a life threatening situation. Those minutes could make all the difference to the outcome for the patient.

Any money in excess of the target amount will be donated to my First Responder Scheme who will be continually resupplying me and other CFR's in the Ilkeston and Amber Valley area with kit and equipment when needed.