More than 100 calls answered by life saving volunteers

Community volunteers who can save lives before an ambulance arrives have attended 100 emergency calls in one month in the Windsor area.

The volunteers - known as First Responders - do two days training and are equipped with a mobile phone, defibrillator, oxygen and a suction machine.

They get called out if someone near them becomes ill and they are close enough to get there before the ambulance. Training includes learning to stop and then restart a malfunctioning  heart, stabilising it before the paramedics arrive.

Responders are spread across East Berkshire but Windsor now has nine.

Marc Lister, the Responders' liaison and training officer, said: "We have been going five years in Windsor.

"Two more joined in the last two months bringing the total to nine. The nine have four medical kits between them and with a little forward planning and organisation can now get to most calls between them."

New volunteers are always welcome. Visit www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk for more details.