999: "Help us" plea

Volunteers from the group received seven calls to attend life-threatening incidents in just five hours on Sunday.

Lancing and Sompting Neighbourhood First Responders are trained volunteers and are first on the scene in emergency situations.

They are crucial in saving lives when every minute counts.

Living in the communities they serve enables volunteers to reach victims before ambulance crews can arrive.

But St John Ambulance, which supports the scheme, claims more volunteers are needed desperately to cope with the high number of calls.

An open evening, held last week, was hailed as a success by organisers, but more First Responders are still needed.

Ann Baker, St John Ambulance spokeswoman, said: "The open evening turnout was very encouraging but we certainly need more members."

One of the youngest Neighbourhood First Responders is Mike Kerley, 21, from Hillrise Avenue, Sompting.

He said: "At the moment, we have six active responders. Another seven are now in training thanks to the open evening, but we desperately need loads more. We need at least 15 responders to provide 24-hour cover.

"This is quite a big unit and a needed service. We are very busy. Since May, the Lancing and Sompting area has received 90 calls."

Neighbourhood First Responders go through an intense 28-hour first aid training programme, run by St John Ambulance and the South East Coast Ambulance services.

Equipped with defibrillators and oxygen, as well as their training, Neighbourhood First Responders are able to offer life-saving care to people in time-critical situations, such as heart attack victims.

The only situations responders are not allowed to deal with are those involving fire, trauma or road traffic accidents.

Earlier this year, teenage responder Joe Biggs, put his training to the test when his father, Mick, staggered into the family home, in Tristram Close, Sompting, clutching his chest.

Speaking to the Herald in June, Joe said: "I looked at him and knew he was having a heart attack. I had the responder kit on me at the time. I knew what was going on. The training just kicked in."

Joe gave his father oxygen and an aspirin, and called an ambulance using the special phone in his responder's kit.

Mr Biggs spent a week in hospital following the heart attack. He said Joe's First Responder training had proved crucial: "We have got to have people like this '“ there is no doubt about it."

People interested in joining the scheme who live in the Worthing, Lancing or Sompting areas should contact St John Ambulance, on 01903 235599, or send an email to [email protected].