Responders ask for Christmas care

The responders appealed for more volunteers to join them in the new year

Volunteers who help out in medical emergencies in rural Dorset before ambulances arrive on scene are asking people to take extra care at Christmas.

The Bransgore Community Responders will have less volunteers than usual on call over the festive period.

They said Christmas could be a very busy time and asked for people to make sure they had enough prescription medicine to last until the New Year.

They also urged people not to mix alcohol with medication.

Volunteer appeal

Mike Jukes, spokesman for the responders, said: "Over the Christmas and New Year week we are inevitably short of volunteers but the few offering to be on call will provide full 24/7 cover throughout.

"Our Christmas present to the village, and the other areas in which we operate, is to be there for them should they need us.

"Christmas can be a busy time for us and the ambulance service, but some emergencies can be avoided or their effects reduced."

The responders had attended numerous calls in Bransgore, Holmsley, Sopley and Winkton over the past year, he said.

Mr Jukes thanked everyone who had supported the responders and appealed for more volunteers to join them next year.