The League of Friends manages the fund-raising efforts of the Ambulance Trusts’ Community First Responders* currently in the northern Division. The costs of establishing a small group have fallen considerably over the last few years mainly because AEDs are far more readily available and responders can be trained in larger groups. The initial cost is now around £2000. Groups are established according to local patient need and this is funded initially by the Trust. Once established, the Groups are encouraged to raise funds, at first to recover their own costs, and then to contribute to the costs of the Scheme as a whole, so that communities where there would be little chance of raising the £2000+ can still be included within the Scheme. All funds are banked centrally through the League of Friends. We keep records of the funds raised by each group and purchase the capital equipment necessary for them to work. Responders are encouraged to become proactive members of the League and, if appropriate, Trustees. The accounts of the groups are maintained by us, and are presented at the Annual General Meeting of the League along with the Charity’s overall accounts.
*For information about the South Central Ambulance Service First Responders scheme – visit the SCA website CFR page
