Charity continues life-saving work despite wintry conditions

A Birmingham-based charity which funds lifesaving voluntary operated vehicles for West Midlands Ambulance Service Community First Responder groups has been able to continue its vital work despite heavy snowfall over the past 24 hours.

Arrive Alive 's work is especially important during the winter months, when there are high rates of accidents due to severe weather.

In the last 24 hours the Midlands has seen a tremendous amount of snow fall, with more predicted. Some organisations and businesses have had to close due to the weather conditions but Arrive Alive say it is business as usual as they continue to save lives.

Solely funded by the public, it has enabled a fleet of vehicles and equipment to become operational across the West Midlands and Worcestershire. Additional vehicles and pieces of equipment are urgently needed but this can only happen when funding is available.

There is no stopping the committed Arrive Alive team, along with the medically trained volunteers who are on the frontline, regardless of the time of year or weather condition.

Debbie Roscoe, founder of Arrive Alive, said: “To be able to support the emergency services all year round is an absolute honour, as they work tremulously hard to support the public. The community first responders are trained volunteers who can attend a medical emergency within those vital minutes following a 999 call, due to being based directly within the community.

“There are still a number of communities that need vehicles and equipment to enable more lives to be saved. Bad weather conditions can be incredibly challenging for anyone, it can also be an added stress when being faced with a dreaded 999 call. ”

All of the voluntary operated vehicles within communities that are dispatched following a 999 call are all on the West Midlands Ambulance Service radio system to receive details of the medical emergency. To find out more about Arrive Alive visit their website.