RESEARCH which could save up to 3,500 lives a year, being carried out by the medics charity, Magpas, has been given a cash boost of £16,000. The money was presented on Monday by the Northampton and Huntingdon Provincial Masonic Grand Charity at a present

RESEARCH which could save up to 3,500 lives a year, being carried out by the medics' charity, Magpas, has been given a cash boost of £16,000.

The money was presented on Monday by the Northampton and Huntingdon Provincial Masonic Grand Charity at a presentation at the Priory Clinic in Huntingdon.

The St Ives-based lifesaving charity launched its research programme because traumatic injury kills or seriously injures nearly 3,500 people every year in the UK.

Very little research had previously been carried out into this area and Magpas is determined to prevent accidents as well as save lives at the scene after they occur.

Magpas' research fellow and one of the charity's emergency team, Dr James French, said: "The research programme is a natural extension of what Magpas does.

"Our volunteers save lives after the trauma has occurred. Through the research, we want to understand why accidents happen and how they can best be prevented in the first place. It is vital research and there is literally nothing else like it in the whole of Europe, let alone the UK."

Dr French said: "When there is a road traffic collision, there is a lot of different information held by the different organisations involved.

"These groups include the police, hospital and fire service. Until now, no one has put all this information together to see what lessons can be learnt in order to prevent future accidents."

Magpas Chairman, David Bevan said, "We are extremely grateful to everyone involved in the Northampton and Huntingdon Provincial Masonic Grand Charity for this fantastic donation. Traumatic injuries sustained at incidents such as road traffic collisions rob families of their loved ones in an instant.

"Magpas' research programme is a very worthy cause because it really will prevent lives being lost in the long-run and that is what our charity is here for."

The cheque was presented to Dr French, pictured front left, by provincial grand master, Barry Hall.

- INFORMATION: Magpas is hoping that other local groups will also raise funds for the research programme.

Anyone interested in helping should call 01480 371 058 during office hours.