Neilston and Uplawmoor First Responders member Andrew Irving has been booked on shift since January 4 last year, juggling a full time job and a family at the same time.

And last month he received an award from Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire Guy Clarke and even got a letter from TV personality Lorraine Kelly.

Stuart McLellan, chairman of the Neilston and Uplawmoor First Responders told the Barrhead News: “Andrew has dedicated over 1000 hours to the community by booking on shift until now and clocked up 1000 hours as well as working full time and married with three children, a fantastic effort.

“Lorraine Kelly and Jackson Carlaw wrote to Andrew to congratulate him and the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire Guy Clarke came along to the Uplawmoor Hotel to present Andrew with his certificate.” The first responders set up shop in Neilston last year.

A community first responder is a member of the public who volunteers to help their community by responding to medical emergencies while the ambulance is on its way.

And they are always on the lookout for new members.

Stuart continued: “If you wanted to become a Community First Responder you would be trained in a wide range of emergency skills, and use specialised equipment such as automatic external defibrillators and oxygen therapy.

“You would then be able to provide an early intervention in situations such as a heart or asthma attack before the professional ambulance crew arrives.

“This improves patient survival and recovery.” Stuart set the first responders up in Neilston due to its rural status, and longer wait times for an ambulance to arrive from either Kilmarnock or Paisley.

Anyone wishing to find out more information is asked to contact Stuart at stuart.mclellan@naufirstresponders.co.uk Neilston and Uplawmoor First Responders member Andrew Irving has been booked on shift since January 4 last year, juggling a full time job and a family at the same time.

And last month he received an award from Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire Guy Clarke and even got a letter from TV personality Lorraine Kelly.

Stuart McLellan, chairman of the Neilston and Uplawmoor First Responders told the Barrhead News: “Andrew has dedicated over 1000 hours to the community by booking on shift until now and clocked up 1000 hours as well as working full time and married with three children, a fantastic effort.

“Lorraine Kelly and Jackson Carlaw wrote to Andrew to congratulate him and the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire Guy Clarke came along to the Uplawmoor Hotel to present Andrew with his certificate.” The first responders set up shop in Neilston last year.

A community first responder is a member of the public who volunteers to help their community by responding to medical emergencies while the ambulance is on its way.

And they are always on the lookout for new members.

Stuart continued: “If you wanted to become a Community First Responder you would be trained in a wide range of emergency skills, and use specialised equipment such as automatic external defibrillators and oxygen therapy.

“You would then be able to provide an early intervention in situations such as a heart or asthma attack before the professional ambulance crew arrives.

“This improves patient survival and recovery.” Stuart set the first responders up in Neilston due to its rural status, and longer wait times for an ambulance to arrive from either Kilmarnock or Paisley.

Anyone wishing to find out more information is asked to contact Stuart at stuart.mclellan@naufirstresponders.co.uk