THE Lions club of Holsworthy presented a cheque to BASICS Devon recently.

BASICS Devon consists of a group of volunteer medics who provide specialist medical care in communities across Devon supporting the South West Ambulance Trust.

A spokesperson for BASICS said: “We received a wonderful £200 from the Holsworthy & District Lions Club towards replacing medical equipment. Dr David Hillebrandt one of our emergency volunteer doctors went along personally to thank the Lions and receive the cheque. He spent the evening with them and gave them an insight into BASICS Devon and even got to show some of his emergency medical kit.”

Dr Hillebrandt said: “In terms of road travel Holsworthy is about as far as you can get from a major hospital in Devon. This has resulted in a long tradition of self-reliance so I was not totally surprised when I was approached in the street by Brian, one of our local Lions, who knew about my volunteering and asked me to apply for one of their grants.

“A few weeks later I was receiving a generous cheque and further funds may be forthcoming. This is typical of our local community’s repeated generosity.

“We estimate it costs just over £5,000 to train and equip a local responding doctor. We have to have yearly driver training and assessment for response driving, our vehicles have to be adapted and we carry similar equipment to front line ambulances. 

“As I get older my working time is finite and we are striving to raise funds for my replacement in North Devon for acute medical emergencies, road and farm accidents and providing back up for the ambulance service in inclement weather.

“Thank you again to the people of Holsworthy who punch well above their weight in supporting local projects such as this.”