Tireless Gosport couple do something amazing to help 'incredible service that saves lives'
A couple has raised nearly £25,000 to fund a new first responder vehicle.
Les and Lyn Heyhoe, of St Vincent Road in Gosport, raised the funds for the Gosport and Lee-on-Solent Community First Responders, part of the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust Community Responder scheme.
The Gosport-based couple, 69 and 67 respectively, raised £24,910 for the charity, which was enough to purchase a new medical response vehicle, three defibrillators, and eight replacement medical kit bags.
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Vanessa Casey, chief executive of the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust Community Responder scheme, said: “I am blown away, he is incredible.
“At Kingfisher Caravan Park, Lee-on-the-Solent, he handed over the final cheque. He is a tour de force and works tirelessly to support the community.”
Each year, Mr and Mrs Heyhoe select a charity to support through fundraising activities.
They focused their efforts on the Gosport and Lee-on-Solent Community First Responders and asked the team to provide a wish list of essential equipment.
The couple, married since 1977, have raised nearly £12.5 million for various charitable causes over the past 45 years through quiz nights, race nights, and other community events.
This year’s total exceeded their original target by more than £6,000.
The Mayor of Gosport, Councillor Kirsten Bradley, said: “The work he does is amazing. He is giving of his time and energy.
“He exceeded his target and the charity will be able to have everything on its wish list. Be thankful. If you hear the name Les Heyhoe you’re going to have some fun.”
The new equipment will benefit the team of around 10 volunteers who make up the Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent Community First Responders.
Ms Casey said: “The first responders aim to be out within three minutes of a callout. It is an incredible service that saves lives.
“They attend all categories of emergencies dealing with life-threatening heart attacks to welfare concerns and falls by elderly patients. The volunteers are clinically trained and work alongside ambulance crews once they arrive.”
Mr Heyhoe presented the cheque at a community event on January 12.
The new vehicle, once purchased and modified, is expected to be in service within the next two to three months.
This year’s charity is Sophie’s Legacy.