SAFeR Steyning Scoops Wilson Trust Awards

SAFeR Steyning, the area’s first responder scheme, scooped both of this year’s Wilson Trust Awards at Saturday’s Steyning Showcase at the Steyning Centre. Martin Leigh-Pollitt, SAFeR’s chair, and Christine Peters, the responders’ team leader and responder herself, were both presented with certificates, cheques and bouquets to commemorate the event.

Martin Leigh-Pollitt was surprised and delighted to receive the Wilson Award: “Surprised” he says, “because we owe a great deal to the Wilson Trust which has match-funded many of our life-saving kits.  And delighted because it’s an honour to receive this community award from an organisation which benefits the health and welfare of those living in the area.”

The possibility of setting up a responder scheme in the area became apparent to a number of members of the Steyning & Henfield Rotary Club, of which Martin is a member, and they worked with the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) to bring together those willing to train as responders and those prepared to set up a supporting trust and raise funds. “In just three years we’ve become an essential part of the emergency support services in this area - a real success story by any standards and I am just part of a really great team” added Martin.

Having spent most of his working life in London as a surveyor, Martin was amazed to discover so many opportunities on his doorstep to become involved in the community after he retired. Apart from Rotary he has continued to use his work skills to help maintain the three ancient parish churches at Bramber, Beeding and Botolphs. He also enjoys working with the Steyning Partnership to encourage tourism in the area.

Christine Peters, along with Martin, was presented with her award by the acting chair of the Wilson Trust, Bob Schuler, who described her as “Steyning’s Superwoman”.

Wife, mother, grandmother, business woman, team leader and responder, Christine describes herself as “absolutely overwhelmed” by the surprise award. “I had no idea at all but of course I was really pleased,” she says, “All the responders give their spare time happily and none of us expect anything in return, but it’s delightful to have our work recognised and know we’re appreciated.”

Christine and her family help keep the area’s residents healthy and safe in other ways too. Christine is a qualified natural health practitioner and nutritionist, owning and running the Gaia Clinic of Holistic Therapy in Steyning, and her son Paul is a Steyning fire fighter.

Long standing Steyning resident Mrs Jacqueline Midgley visited SAFeR Steyning’s stand at the Steyning Showcase particularly to express her thanks to Christine, who attended after she called 999 on Christmas Day. “Christine arrived within five minutes of the call and was wonderfully kind and helpful to me before the ambulance arrived. I can’t say how grateful I am to her and to SAFeR for their professionalism and kindness,” said Mrs Midgley, “and, of course, to everyone at Worthing Hospital”.

SAFeR Steyning responders are local volunteers who provide an essential immediate service to support the 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.

If you’d like to support SAFeR Steyning and have lots of fun at the same time, put Saturday 2 October in your diaries, as it’s this year’s SAFeR Day when there will be another of SAFeR’s successful fundraising events, “Steyning’s Big Night Out”, at the Steyning Grammar School theatre along with other events during the day. For more information see www.safersteyning.org.uk

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