ROSSENDALE Community First Responder's team leader Brian Pickup MBE is to step down after 12 years at the helm.

Brian started volunteering as a community first responder (CFR)with the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust in December 2003 whilst teaching science at Fearns Community Sports College in Stacksteads.

After undertaking advanced training he then became Rossendale’s team leader and trainer.

CFRs are volunteers who give their time freely to help others within their community and are called out to a range of potentially serious incidents.

They can give that vital first aid to help save a life or provide support and reassurance to a patient until an ambulance arrives.

Mr Pickup has taught hundreds of people life saving skills and has often spent many hours doing research and constructing lesson plans to enhance the four-day training programme.

Andy Redgrave, NWAS CFR community engagement manager, said: “Brian has been the team leader for Rossendale for many years and his dedication has enabled the team to go from strength to strength.

"His leadership skills and humour will be missed by everyone in the team and his professionalism is something to be admired."

Over the past few years Brian has led an initiative throughout Rossendale to educate and train local people on how to use a defibrillator if a person suffers a cardiac arrest.

The Rossendale CFR Team, headed by Mr Pickup, has achieved many significant milestones and numerous awards which include the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Mr Pickup himself was awarded the MBE for Services to Health and the Community of Rossendale in 2013 and an Ambulance Service Institute Award.

Mr Pickup said despite stepping down as team leader he would continue to be a Community First Responder.

He added: "I shall continue instructing courses and members of the public, as well as delivering talks to anyone who wants to listen about responding and defibrillators.

"I would like to thank the Rossendale team for their phenomenal support over the years."

NWAS are recruiting new CFR volunteers from across the region particularly Bacup, Weir, Crawshawbooth and Edenfield.

No previous first aid training is needed.

For more information visit nwas-responders.info.