A Norfolk holiday resort has donated £10,000 to help a life-saving charity purchase vital equipment.

Norfolk Accident Rescue Service (NARS) was able to purchase a new car to continue its work supporting ambulance crews thanks to the generous donation from Potters Friends Foundation.

The foundation was set-up by Potters Resort in Hopton in memory of Brian Potter MBE to support worthy causes in the community.

Steve Maddams, a NARS first responder operational lead, explained how important the donation is to the charity.

He said: “A massive thank you to Potters Friends Foundation for donating the money we needed to purchase this much-needed car, as we continue to provide as much coverage as we can and hopefully assist in saving lives.

“Our first responders have also been used to using their own vehicles in their normal groups, so the purchase of this car means so much and without it we could not have started the NARS community first responder’s group”.

Community first responders are volunteers trained by the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS) to attend certain types of emergency calls.

Their aim is to reach a potential life threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives to help stabilise the patient and provide care.

The new first responder car, which is based at Longwater ambulance depot in Norwich, will help save hundreds of lives each year as it helps provide more cover across the region.

Since June 30 the car has already responded to 40 emergency 999 calls.

John Potter, who Potters Friends Foundation, said: “NARS saves lives and its amazing team of volunteers, many of whom already have full time jobs, give up their free time to help others in time of need and be seen more quickly.

“It is this early advanced care which is so critical, so we are so pleased to be able to help NARS to continue their inspiring work through the purchase of this car.

“Within 24 hours of being ready, the car was called out six times, showing how much this new car was needed.”

For more information on NARS visit: www.nars.org.uk