Gillanders Motors has found a great way to start 2023 by coming to the aid of another Scottish Ambulance Service Charity that provides local first response emergency services. They have recently handed over the keys to a brand new MG HS car to the newly founded Lossiemouth Co-Responders team based at RAF Lossiemouth.
Since 2016 Gillanders have focussed our charitable support on assisting the Scottish Ambulance Service in their efforts to improve response times and survival rates in the North East. Beginning with the Wildcat Cardiac Responders whom they supported for nearly 7 years. The Wildcat Team received a new vehicle in 2021 an MG ZS. Back in 2020 they extended their programme by the supply of a second MG to Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance, specifically to support the launch of Helimed 79 in Aberdeen. This proved to be a critical resource throughout the pandemic and SCAA's presence has saved countless lives across Scotland, often where other resources would take too long to reach.
These vehicles will allow first responders to get to rural emergencies faster, potentially saving more lives. Every minute survival rates decrease by 10% when it comes to CPR and defibrillation critical care.
Ricky Laird, Scottish Ambulance Service community resilience team leader said “our co-responders play a vital role in supporting the SAS in reaching our critical care patients in rural areas. This vehicle is a fantastic resource and it will allow our co-responders in Lossiemouth to provide a life-saving service.”
Both The Wildcat Team and SCAA continue to be delighted with their donated vehicles which were an MG ZS and Kia Niro respectively.
Nick Harvey, director of fundraising and communications at SCAA said “Gillanders’ ongoing support has been simply outstanding.”
The new MG HS vehicle was handed over to Flight Lieutenant Mike Cooper at RAF Lossiemouth by Group General Manager Mark Stevenson who said “We have seen the incredible differences the existing projects make to people’s lives and we were delighted to be able to provide another MG HS to assist the newly formed team.”
Flight Lieutenant Mike Cooper of RAF Lossiemouth’s 201 Squadron and Team Leader of the Lossiemouth Co-Responders said:
“The support we have received from the community has been incredible. Firstly, from RAF Lossiemouth providing our base to operate from and then from Gillanders Motors providing the vehicle. Without this support we would simply not be able to operate.
The team now have all the tools they need and plan to complete our first shift in support of Scottish Ambulance Service on the 23rd of January. In a rurual location such as Moray, this service can get people treatment sooner in cases where those extra minutes can make the difference between life and death.”