South Western Ambulance Charity celebrates 30th anniversary

Since its inception in 1995, the charity has offered crucial support to the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), its staff, volunteers, and the communities it serves.

In the past year alone, the charity has funded improvements to outdoor spaces at more than 50 ambulance stations.

This is part of its efforts to boost staff welfare by providing social support grants.

The charity has also been instrumental in life-saving initiatives.

It funded the pilot of the GoodSAM Responder app, which alerts trained individuals of nearby cardiac arrests, before its full adoption by SWASFT.

This app has greatly enhanced the community's ability to respond effectively to emergencies.

The charity has also launched targeted programmes to increase access to defibrillators, helping to reduce health inequalities.

With its support, more than 700 schools across the South West have now correctly installed and registered defibrillators.

Of these, 90 per cent are connected to The Circuit, the national defibrillator network.

The charity’s fundraising efforts have also equipped SWASFT’s volunteer Community First Responders with 11 Community Response Vehicles.

These vehicles enable volunteers to quickly reach and assist patients in local communities before an ambulance arrives.

The charity's efforts have also greatly contributed to improving survival rates from life-threatening emergencies, such as out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

Zoe Larter, head of the South Western Ambulance Charity, said: "Reaching our 30th anniversary is a truly special moment for us.

"Since our beginnings, the charity has worked alongside the South Western Ambulance Service to make a real difference to people’s lives.

"None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our supporters, fundraisers, and partners over the years.

"We are excited to celebrate this milestone, to thank everyone who has been part of our journey, and to look ahead to building on this legacy so we can achieve even more in the next 30 years."

John Martin, chief executive of SWASFT, added: "On behalf of everyone at SWASFT, I want to congratulate the South Western Ambulance Charity on their 30th anniversary.

"For three decades, they have been an incredible source of support, enabling us to go further in caring for our people, volunteers, patients, and communities.

"We are hugely grateful for their commitment and generosity.

"Happy birthday, and thank you for everything you do."