A group of community first responders from Sevenoaks are raising money in order to train and equip new members for their team.

Community first responders are volunteers of the community who are trained and dispatched by the South East Coast Ambulance Service to respond to 999 emergency calls in their local area.

The Sevenoaks team respond to over 130 incidents in an average month and rely entirely on donations to pay for the live-saving equipment they carry and vehicles they run.

James Crawley, a CFR said: "While South East Coast Ambulance Service performs very well, we have to recognise that there are some communities that are extremely difficult to reach."

It costs approximately £1500 to equip a new responder and this dedicated team of CFRs covers the whole of Sevenoaks District.

Mr Crawley added: "We need plenty of new responders in order to ensure that we have sufficient coverage for the whole area.

"We conduct many fundraising events and high street collections throughout the year and we receive no public funding to provide the service."

The primary role of a CFR is to provide life-saving emergency treatment, to prevent deterioration, promote recovery and preserve life.

Each day, approximately 170 people in the UK suffer a Sudden Cardiac Arrest and early defibrillation can save up to 75% of all these cases.

CFRs carry medical equipment including dressings, oxygen and some drugs which further benefits patients whilst waiting for an ambulance.

In addition to responding, the team supports local communities and has placed 5 public access defibrillators in the local area in the last 12 months.

For more information visit: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/sevenoaks-community-first-responders