December 2022 was one of England's Ambulance Services' most challenging months on record; faced with more than one million calls, the average response time soared and the window to save those in life-threatening situations dwindled.

With people's lives at stake, Folksworth's very own first responders unit worked in overdrive throughout December and the whole of 2022 to buy time for the ambulances and give their communities a fighting chance.

The Folksworth Community First Responders (CFRs) consist of two committed volunteers who dedicated 7,195 hours of their time in 2022 to attend 999 calls around Huntingdonshire and Peterborough and reach people in their first vital minutes of need.

Attending 293 emergency calls last year, they spent almost a staggering 600 hours a month on average between them administering emergency care prior to the ambulance's arrival.

"We buy time for our wonderful and dedicated Ambulance crews," said Tony Lucas, the coordinator for Folksworth CFRs.

"It just so so helps in the community, particularly in rural areas, that there is that resource out there for the ambulance service that can support often quite poorly people."

The Hunts Post: Tony Lucas helping MAGPAS assist a patient during one of their call-outs last year.Tony Lucas helping MAGPAS assist a patient during one of their call-outs last year. (Image: Tony Lucas)

Trained by the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS), Tony and fellow volunteer Ben Harrington responded to calls in Sawtry, Yaxley, Hamptons, Stilton and many other areas during one of their busiest years.

Tony and Ben received more than 100 more calls last year than in 2021, with Tony commenting that for quite a few days on the run in December, the EEAS saw in excess of 5,000.

The magnitude of calls has led to inevitable delays, and Tony said that in 2022 he'd sit on "quite a few" Category 2 calls where he'd be waiting three to four hours for a crew.

"Prior to last year (2022), if you were waiting an hour for a crew, then it would be an eyebrow-raiser," added Tony.

"It's frustrating and obviously a really disappointing situation in which we find ourselves, but it's one that I know that all the Ambulance staff and all the NHS staff would love to be able to resolve."

"Long waits are a norm, but the beauty of our volunteering is that we can be with that patient.

"It's very reassuring for the family that they have someone with their poorly relative and that we can assess them, we can monitor them, and we can offer that reassurance that an ambulance will be on its way."

When both CFRs aren't spending their time volunteering, Tony works as an outdoor education instructor at Kimbolton School, and Ben works for the ambulance service as a dispatch team leader.

The school is more than happy for Tony to respond to calls as Tony says they have a great relationship with the community and recognise the difference a responder can make.

Tony and Ben are usually called to Category 1 and Category 2 calls, which are deemed a high priority and require an immediate response.

Respiratory issues, fits, cardiac arrests or strokes, which could develop into an urgent need of assistance, are some of the conditions patients of a C1 and C2 call would have.

Tony said: "There are those people you get to who are perhaps really short of breath, and it might be that the call turns out to be more time-critical than it seemed at first.

"And we can make those differences, and I'm sure that without our interventions, then there would be people here now that wouldn't be without us."

Folksworth CFRs is a registered charity will all their kit funded by generous sponsors, with the team always open to support and donations.

To continue their vital service, Ton and Ben welcome any support and if you would like to help, visit the Folksworth Twitter page for more information and contact details.