A FIRST response charity is calling urgently for more volunteers as part of their life-saving team.

The charity from Bransgore, New Forest have several vacancies for any members of the public who has the desire to aid somebody in a medical emergency.

Trained by the South Central Ambulance Service, volunteers will learn basic life support as well as treatment and control for a range of potentially life threatening conditions.

Brangsore community first responders currently have ten trained responders who cover a region of 25 square miles.

Group co-ordinator Mike Jukes said: “Helping patients at a critical time is our primary role and the motivation to do so comes from within the individual, but we can do more than that.

“We have helped to set up other local schemes in our area and run a Heartstart group so we can teach the public how easy it is to save a life with some basic skills.”

In 2015, the responders were alerted to 270 calls around the county and are one of the groups sponsored by the South Central Ambulance charity.

With the aim of nobody being more than eight minutes away from a readily available defibrillator, the new charity’s patron is Simon Weston OBE.

Simon said: “How many of us have seen something bad happen to a friend or neighbour and not known what to do? By volunteering yourself, this is the difference you can make.”

Bransgore resident Roy Morris was recently reunited with a responder who saved his life when he went in to cardiac arrest.

Roy said: “If it had not been for the community responder, I would not be here today. I cannot thank them enough.”

Anybody who is interested in joining the team across Hampshire and is over the age of 18 are asked to contact them on 0844 500 9699.