Assistant Parish Clerk takes on Additional Life-saving Role

Hazel Roxby, Steyning’s deputy parish clerk, has become one of SAFeR Steyning’s latest responders, aiming to help make a difference to the health and well being of townspeople and visitors alike.

SAFeR Steyning responders are local volunteers who provide an essential immediate service to support the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb). Ambulances are not always in close proximity to answer emergency calls in rural areas like Steyning, Bramber and Upper Beeding, and because responders are already living or working in the community, they can get to the location vital minutes earlier. It is in this timeslot that lives can sometimes be saved – and patients’ chances of recovery can be significantly increased.

Responders are fully trained by SECAmb in the use of defibrillators. SAFeR receives no government funding, relying on donations, sponsorship and grant funding to purchase equipment and kit, and everyone involved in the running of the scheme gives their time voluntarily.

Hazel, who has worked for the parish council at the Steyning Centre for twelve years and lived in Steyning all her life, has been operational as a responder since last year and feels the role fits in well with her parish duties.

She had always been interested in medical matters but says the catalyst was when one of her colleagues collapsed and died at the Centre. “I wanted to be able to know what to do if something like that ever happened again,“ she said, “and definitely how to help prevent it. The responders themselves are such a great bunch – they make a wonderful team along with the scheme’s trustees and they welcomed me with open arms. It’s a real honour to be part of it all.” Hazel’s family also helps keep Steyning safe and healthy – her son is a fire fighter and her daughter is a dispensing optician, both based in the town.

Martin Leigh-Pollitt, chair of SAFeR Steyning comments: “Having Hazel on board is great news – she’s right at the heart of the town - in so many ways now - and we’re grateful to her and all the other responders for giving up some of their valuable spare time to help the people of the area.

If anyone would like to know more about becoming a first responder or about the SAFeR Steyning scheme in general, we’ll be having a stand at next Saturday’s Steyning Showcase at the Steyning Centre, so do come along and see us.

And here’s advance notice for everyone in the area – if you’d like to support SAFeR Steyning and have lots of fun at the same time, please put Saturday 2 October in your diaries, as it’s this year’s SAFeR Day and we’ll be putting on another of our successful events, “Steyning’s Big Night Out”, at the Steyning Grammar School theatre. Last year’s SAFeR Day raised around £1,000 and we’re hoping to top that this year. Look out in the local media for more details!”

For more information on SAFeR Steyning see www.safersteyning.org.uk

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