Essex/England – Freemasons fund £100,000 for lifesaving first responder cars

(by Noticeboard, In Your Area, 24 October 2025)

Three new life-saving community response cars are now on the road across Essex, thanks to a £100,000 donation from Essex Freemasons to the East of England Ambulance Service Charity. These vehicles will be used by volunteer Community First Responders (CFRs) to reach patients more quickly in 999 emergencies, particularly in rural or hard-to-reach areas where every second counts. CFRs are trained volunteers who provide vital early care while ambulances are enroute, often making a critical difference in life-threatening situations.

Lorna Hayes, Head of Community Response, said: “Most of our CFRs use their own cars to reach those in need, so having these dedicated community response cars will not only support, equip, and provide mentoring opportunities for our wonderful volunteers, but…

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