First Responder Tomos receives top life-saver award

Aug 14 2008 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

A CONWY Valley first aid volunteer has been given a top award for his life-saving skills.

Tomos Hughes from Cerrigydrudion, is in a class of his own when it comes to voluntary work for the Community First Responders scheme, run by the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Neighbourhood first responder volunteers are trained to attend emergency calls received by the ambulance service and provide care until an ambulance arrives. Volunteers can arrive at an emergency in minutes.

Such groups have been established throughout the country and under the first awards scheme of its kind, Tomos, 32, has been named as the outstanding volunteer in North Wales.

In the past two and a half years, Tomos has responded to 350 calls and he’s equipped with his own defibrillator.

He said: “I am on call virtually 24/7 and cover quite a large area.”

An electrical contractor, Tomos is a former member of Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team and had first-aid skills when a friend asked in 2005 if he would be interested in joining a first responders group based in Llanrwst to cover the Conwy Valley.

Earlier this year he established another group based in Ysbyty Ifan and is in the process of setting up yet another in Dolwyddelan.

He said: “Like most first responders, the majority of calls are to people with breathing difficulties and heart problems, but we also get called to road collisions, farm accidents and to a growing number of mountain-biking accidents.”

Tomos was nominated by Alun Roberts, the first responder officer for North Wales.

He said: “Tomos has done an excellent job and we’ve received many letters of thanks for the work Tomos has done.”

richard.evans