Salcombe Peninsular’s Community First Responders have been given a new car, thanks to the support of local groups.

The car, bought from Warners of Gloucestershire at cost price, is the result of funding from Salcombe Rotary Club, Crabfest, the Victoria Inn, Devon County Councillor Rufus Gilbert and South Hams District Councillors Simon Wright and Judy Pearce, ward members for Salcombe and Thurlestone.

Jill Beavis, Community First Responder, said: “We are so grateful to receive this car. It will be a great asset to the Salcombe and Hope Cove communities and with the sign writing, it will make people more aware of us and move out of the way. Thank you to the Rotary Club for raising the funds, which is always hard work.”

Tim Hore, Community First Responder and landlord of The Victoria Inn, said: “This car will make life easier for us. The old car was good, this one is safer and will be able to deal with the hills much better. ?“It also has sat-nav which is invaluable. At night without a sat-nav I’ve often been looking for road signs with a torch to see where I need to go.”

John Sampson, president of Salcombe Rotary Club, said: “Last year we donated to the Young People’s Centre, and match funded the Devon Air Ambulance landing sites, and this year we were looking around for another local charity to support with Salcombe Crabfest, and the Community First Responders said they needed a new car.

“As a local charity that benefits everyone in the town, it was an easy decision.

“We must also thank Coast and Country Cottages and Favis of Salcombe for sponsoring Salcombe Crabfest, and to Salcombe Town Council for being so helpful during the event.”?Debbie Ward, Salcombe Information Centre, said: “Mark Warner, of Warners of Gloucestershire, has a holiday in Salcombe and provided the Community Responder car at his cost price, meaning a discount of £4,500. He also paid for it to be sign written. He’s been so generous.”

Community First Responders are all volunteers who offer their time, usually alongside other jobs and careers, to support the local community by attending emergency calls ahead of an ambulance.

You do not need any previous medical training to be a Community First Responder, but the South Western Ambulance Service says you do need “a full driving licence, good interpersonal and communications skills, the ability to observe and accurately record detail and the ability to take the lead and remain calm in pressured situations”.

If you would like to become a Community First Responder, all find out more about the role, go to the NHS Jobs website: www.jobs.nhs.uk