Ambulance service volunteers celebrate 20 years

MARKING 20 years of community first responders (CFR's) across the Region, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) held a full day celebration event on Saturday, 12 October 2019 to say a big thank you for the invaluable service they provide. NWAS currently has 870 active CFR's across the Region, these are members of the public who volunteer for the trust to attend emergencies in their local community. CFR's don't need any previous medical experience and are trained to start life saving intervention in the event of a cardiac arrest as well as other emergency situations. Possibly being closer to the patient than an Ambulance, they can give patients vital extra minutes when every second counts, as well as providing reassurance and assisting Ambulance clinicians. The celebration took place at:- Castle Green Hotel, Kendal and began with an exhibition to give guests the opportunity to learn more about the sponsors for the day. The event was entirely funded by sponsorship from organisations who work within the health sector. This was followed by a conference where a number of speakers took to the stage to show their appreciation of CFR's and speak about the past, present and future of the volunteer role. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, sent a special thank you message which was played at the conference. He said:- "Your actions make all the difference and I want to say a huge thank you not only from me, but from the countless lives you save and the people you help."

In the evening, the room was transformed into a glitzy awards ceremony, hosted by ITV Granada's Paul Crone, where:- 'remarkable responders' from across the Region were recognised for exemplary service. This was followed by dinner and dancing, with music from local band, Absolutely. Awarded with a Gold:- 'Remarkable Responder' award, Mother of 2 and Trainee Nurse, Amanda Walsh, works tirelessly to promote basic life support skills in her local community of Bolton. Another Gold winner was Peter Knapton, from Sedbergh. He was instrumental in setting up the CFR team in his local area and works hard to make new members feel welcomed, always going the extra mile. On 1 occasion, Peter drove behind an Ambulance with a worried Mum to a Hospital many miles away in the middle of the night and later took her home. Brain Pickup, CFR from Rossendale, received an:- 'exceptional contribution' award. Admired in his local community, Brain received a number of nominations and was described as an inspiring leader, with his team proud to work alongside him. He has trained hundreds, if not thousands of people in the community in the vital skills needed to save a life, always with his unique fun and engaging style. Regional Community Engagement Manager, Andrew Redgrave, said:- "Over the past 20 years, our CFRs have undoubtedly saved countless lives and the role has evolved and grown significantly during this time. They have supported the Ambulance Service in training the public in life saving skills and helped lobby for changes in education which will see children learning basic life support in Schools from next year! The fact that these people give up their time willingly to help those in need is commendable and we're really glad to have been able to celebrate them at this fabulous event."

Sponsors for the event were Sliders UK, Stryker, The Defib Shop, SP Services, Mangar Health, Physio Control, Well Medical and Zoll Public Safety. To find out more about how to become a CFR, visit:- NWAS.NHS.UK/Volunteer.

Trip the light fantastic for River of Light
Image by Nunzio Prenna...

FANTASTIC news... Details have been unveiled about the 'FREE' installations lighting up Liverpool City Centre for this year's River of Light Festival. As part of the longer, new look Festival, the hugely successful River of Light fireworks will return for 1 night only, on Sunday, 3 November 2019, as once again the River Mersey becomes a stage for Titanium Fireworks; 1 of the world's leading pyrotechnic companies. 2 simultaneous displays, from the Waterfront in Liverpool and as part of Wirral's Borough of Culture year in New Brighton, will start at 6.30pm, with a soundtrack featuring artists and songs which have been big in the City for 2019! Liam Naughton, Director of The Kazimier "It's great to be back once again lighting up the waterways on the canal with an all new piece made especially for River of Light. It's really encouraging to see the Festival grow, and to be commissioning local arts organisations like us, alongside brilliant international artists. Building on the success of last year's piece, we have decided to delve deep and do the entire installation under the water; an exciting new frontier for us."

Also from Friday, 1 to Saturday, 9 November 2019, 10 commissions; the majority of which have never before been seen in the North West, will become part of the City's landscape and for 9 evenings are set to be the must visit selfie spots. Deputy Mayor and Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "This is a City that loves public art; whether it's sculptures, statues, quirky and thought provoking street art or light installations. We are delighted to welcome some of Europe's leading artists to the City to showcase their work; many of which have never been seen in the North West before. It's an eclectic mix, from huge rabbits and spiders right through to impressive, interactive installations which will have mass appeal. It's an exciting new chapter for the River of Light Festival and we hope to attract thousands of visitors who will see Liverpool in a whole new light."

The artworks are:-

► Spiders... The waterfront side of the Cunard Building will be getting an arachnid makeover as spider shaped light sculptures appear on the façade, courtesy of French artists Groupe Laps. Runs from:- 5pm to 10pm, each night.

► Globoscope... Located in the Courtyard at Liverpool Parish Church, this immersive sound and light journey is made up of more than 200 luminous spheres. It has been designed by critically acclaimed French arts company:- 'Collectif Coin.' Runs from:-5pm to 10pm, each night.

► Intrude... Australian artist Amanda Parer will bring her crowd pleasing, large scale glowing, inflatable rabbits who will make Exchange Flags (behind Liverpool Town Hall) their new home. Starting at:- 5pm until:- 10pm, each night.

► Run Beyond... A single figure will dominate the skyline of the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool as viewers can track their leap to freedom in a consecutive sequence. Created by Italian artist Angelo Bonello, he wants the artwork to represent the leaps we make at points in our lives. Running from:- 5pm to 10pm, each night.

► Submergence... Taking over Mann Island Atrium, this large, immersive and responsive walkthrough experience uses thousands of individual points of suspended light to transform its environment. It's the brainchild of Squidsoup which is 1 of the UK's leading digital augmentation companies. Runs from:- 5pm to 10pm each night.

► Portal... A brand new commission; three large scale kaleidoscopic images will transform the inner quayside of the Merseyside Maritime Museum, responding to human movement and dance. Local artist Sam Wiehl is responsible for the hypnotic artwork. Runs 5pm to 10pm, each night.

► Liverpool Jackpot... The Plaza Building, on Old Hall Street, Liverpool, will become the canvas for a set of neon lights which playfully comment on the City's history and resilience. Originally commissioned in 2007, the piece has been brought back by Liverpool Biennial and Liverpool BID Company as a signal of Liverpool's future ambitions. Runs from:- 5pm to 10pm each night.

► Flight... River of Light will kick start a brand new, illuminated chapter for the Royal Liver Building as they unveil Flight; a 6 minute light show which will be a permanent installation once the Festival has finished. The show will take place every 30 minutes, running from:- 5pm to 9.30pm.

► Whole Hole... A light portal to another dimension will appear on the wall of Wapping Dock (near the M&S Arena and Convention Centre) created by Dutch artists Vendel and de Wolf. The will start each night at:- 5pm and runs until:- 10pm.

► Cetus... Taking inspiration from the Cetus constellation, an underwater display in the Mann Island basin will see the area come alive with this multi sensory artwork created by The Kazimier. As the sun sets, the water will shimmer and pulsate mimicking the ancient Greek myth of the sea monster Cetus. Runs from:- 5pm to 10pm, each night.