St John Ambulance has trained a small group of people from the town to act as community responders who go out on emergency calls and, because they live locally, can sometimes reach the casualty before the ambulance.

They are trained in resuscitation techniques and keeping people alive long enough for the professionals to reach them.

The responders can mean the difference between life and death in some cases.

There are six volunteers covering the Batley and Spen area.

Now Heckmondwike Rotary Club has stepped in with a £1,500 donation to get the responders kitted out.

St John Ambulance worker Rayne Sutcliffe said: “Community responders basically assist the ambulance service and generally deal with heart attacks and strokes. The money has gone towards a responder kit, which includes a defibrillator, oxygen and equipment for oxygen therapy. It’s been out on one call already.”

Rotary president Derek Stephenson said: “We raised the money throughout the year through functions and dinner dances, but the majority was raised in September by our annual classic car rally round all the beauty spots of Yorkshire.

“We get about £2-3,000 from that – it’s getting very popular.”

The club divides the money it raises between different local charities and this year Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice also benefited.

For more information on community responders or to offer help contact Rayne Sutcliffe on 07974 711204 or visit www.sja.org.uk

l A fundraising event for St John Ambulance is being held at Morrisons in Heckmondwike from June 13-15.