ST OSYTH & POINT CLEAR FIRST RESPONDERS
	THE St Osyth & Point Clear First Responders were pleased to be able to play a small part in the village activities on Saturday 17th July. It was 8.30am and a lovely sunny morning when we arrived to set up our stall outside the St Osyth Social Club in the village square.  It was a hive of activity as people arrived to work on the preparations for the Medieval Fayre, delivering their props and wares amidst the normal activities of a Saturday with local shoppers going about their daily tasks.  What a pleasant sight, everyone pulling together. For our part it gave us the opportunity to talk to the village residents and their visitors, explain how we can support the village in our voluntary role and show off the equipment that has been bought with the many generous donations and raffle collections that have been undertaken throughout the village. Those that came to celebrate will have seen the paramedic car, which was driven by John Nicholls a Clinical Operations Manager and Training Officer with the Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust, who was also on active paramedic duties that day operating from our village.  John, who is our “Link Manager” works closely with our group undertaking our training days, usually held on a Saturday in the Dumont Community Hall. The First Responder Team were also on call that day ready to respond to any local emergency.  Our main concern was that they would not be held up in traffic so responder cars were positioned either side of the crossroads for a quick getaway. As it happened we were able to respond with John in the Paramedic Car on the morning when a call was received. It was with regret that our presence was curtailed at 1pm with the coming of the heavy rain.  We did however continue with a presence at 5pm as “car park attendants” to meet the many visitors coming to enjoy the music on the Bury, although it was only until 8pm when we were in for our second soaking of the day.  Many thanks to our two brave attendants.

At this point I must, on behalf of all the team, thank the St Osyth Business Association for their generous support and donation of £500 from the day’s proceeds.  .

Our thanks must also go to the village community and visitors that gave so generously to the collection on our behalf. At the time of writing I would also wish to thank the St Osyth Social Club for their raffle donation of £145.  This, of course, would not have been possible without the generous support of the village community. I would like to finish this report by advising you all that we do still need your support to operate a 24 hour cover service. WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS, particularly for the daytime shifts. We now have a second kitbag which will ease the burden on the volunteers in the change over from the “day shift” and “night shift”.  The responders have been passing on the bag immediately after their duty, which is particularly problematic at 6am in the morning, as most of the volunteers are in full time employment. If there are any persons able to assist or wishing to learn more, I would be pleased to hear from them on 01255 821522. Suzanne McAree, Co-ordinator