BASICS Devon, a network of 12 emergency volunteer doctors, including two from the Post area, has received a grant of £9,888 from the National Lottery Awards for All scheme.

BASICS Devon’s network of doctors provide immediate access to specialist medical care at the scene of accidents or illness.

The Post area is covered by Dr David Hillebrandt from Holsworthy and Dr Angus Macdonald from Stratton.

The money will be used to support the ‘Rural Emergency Medical Responders’ project, which will enable two additional professional medics to volunteer and respond in Devon to help save local lives.

The two new volunteers are Tom Owens from Exeter and Clare from South Brent/South Hams.

BASICS Devon volunteers make themselves available around the clock, through the year, responding to incidents at the request of the South West Ambulance Service NHS Trust. BASICS Devon receives no government funding and relies solely on donations.

The project is developed through the need of the local community, with an increase of more than 30% in emergency call outs and the departure of the North Devon responder after 31 years, to create an immediate need for new volunteers.

Having additional responders will benefit the rural community greatly, as doctors cover a population of 1.1-million across Devon, once of the most rural counties in the country.

BASICS Devon’s volunteers also take on the role of educators, teaching vital life-saving skills to other emergency carers in their area and groups such as Young Farmers’ Clubs, Scouts and Guides.

Thanks to the Big Lottery Fund the new responders will provide immediate access to specialist medical care and also enable local people to gain training in otherwise isolated areas.

Amie Bull, fundraising manager for BASICS Devon, said: “I could not believe it when we received the decision letter. I cannot put into words the difference this will make to our local community.

“The doctors volunteer as well as work full time and are so dedicated to this cause. All of us at BASICS Devon want to say a huge thank you to the Big Lottery Fund and the National Lottery players and are so excited to show them the progress of the project and the impact it will make.”

The first priority of the team of doctors and the motivation and dedication they have, is for the people in need in their local communities, the patients they held and their loved ones.

For further information, to donate or get involved visit www.basics-devon.org.uk