10-year Anniversary of Ards Peninsula First Responders Celebrated at Bangor Castle

Ards and North Down Borough Council hosted an event at Bangor Castle on Tuesday 25 March to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Ards Peninsula First Responders.

The event was attended by the Minister of Health, Mike Nesbitt, and was officiated by the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart.

The Ards Peninsula First Responders was set up in February 2015 to provide first aid and emergency life support to people across the peninsula. It is a registered charity that operates without financial support from government entities and is reliant upon the commitment of dedicated volunteers.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said:

"The 10-year anniversary gave us the opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the Ards Peninsula First Responders volunteers. These dedicated individuals have become a vital link in the chain of emergency care, providing fast and effective life-saving skills to neighbours, friends, and families until an ambulance can reach them. Their selflessness and dedication have made our community safer and stronger so we must continue to support and champion their efforts to ensure that they remain a beacon of hope for many years to come."

Minister of Health, Mike Nesbitt, said:

"Reaching the 10-year milestone of the Ards Peninsula First Responders shows that they have not only acted as volunteers, but as advocates and activists to encourage others to join the scheme. Their work to train new recruits to enable them to go from strength to strength, with the aim of improving outcomes for those in health distress must be commended.

"Community First Responder schemes such as this really do represent the best of community and the best of humanity. Selflessly giving up your own time and energy to help those most in need, especially in our rural and hard to reach areas, is truly admirable."

Ards Peninsula First Responders cover approximately 84 square miles of the BT22 area and have been tasked with around 4,000 calls since their launch. Each call represents a life impacted, a family supported, and a community united in the face of adversity. They respond to the most critical emergencies, such as cardiac arrests, heart attacks, and strokes, all moments of crisis that can change lives forever.

Through their CPR awareness programs, they have also empowered thousands of individuals in the community with the skills to act decisively during a crisis. They have instilled a sense of confidence that is essential in moments of panic.

Their dedication and service were recognised with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2021. This prestigious honour was testament to their hard work and is a reflection of our community's belief in the importance of being prepared and responsive.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ArdsPeninsulaFirstResponders.

Photo caption: Ards Peninsula First Responders (APFR) were hosted at Bangor Castle to celebrate their 10th anniversary. APFR volunteers are pictured with Minister of Health, Mike Nesbitt, Mayor Alistair Cathcart, Susie McCullough (Chief Executive), and Michael Allen (Northern Ireland Ambulance Se