Aberfeldy Community First Responder Group

01/06/2026

Volunteers Week starts today. We are so grateful to our volunteer CFRs and also the volunteers that are Trustees of the charity for their time and dedication.

If you are interested in volunteering either as a CFR or assisting with the running of the charity get in touch!

Volunteers’ Week 2026 💚

To mark Volunteers’ Week, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on some of our incredible volunteers who were nominated for this year’s Newton Award. Each day, we will be sharing the story behind a nomination to celebrate the dedication, compassion and impact our volunteers bring to their communities 👏🏼

In the spotlight today is ….🤩⬇️

17/03/2026

Over 10500 hours of volunteering in three years! Thats a fantastic commitment to the CFR scheme in Tummel, Rannoch and Loch Tay. Well Done Ali!

Visit to the Tummel Rannoch and Loch Tay CFR Scheme to present some awards to Ewen and Ali after their long service. Ali also received a Certificate of Appreciation for completing over 10'500 hours of volunteering in the last 3 years.... Incredible contribution to his community. Thank you 😊

07/03/2026

A spotlight on the figures that made up our emergency response in February.
Great work from all our teams across Scotland 💚

Interested in becoming a Volunteer Responder for SAS? Find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/lw6h50Yq2JH

21/01/2026

Lovely to see the teamwork within Duns Community First Responders.

Aberfeldy Community First Responders work independently and also as a team calling on one another when in need of assistance or support. Its like our second family!

If you want to find out more get in touch!

This we are spotlighting Duns Community First Responder, Sandy Tweedie.

Sandy was recognised by a SAS team member for his exceptional teamwork and commitment to patient care. Great work 💚

30/12/2025

Congratulations to Dave Bywater on receiving this award. Dave has always been a great supporter of the Aberfeldy Community First Responder Group and we thank him for all he does for us, our community and the Scottish Ambulance Service as a whole.

Huge congratulations to Dave Bywater who is the recipient of the King’s Ambulance Service Medal in the New Year Honours.

Dave, SAS’s Lead Consultant Paramedic, has dedicated the prestigious accolade, to his dad Tom and daughter Rachel.

"It’s a tremendous honour and an amazing thing to receive - I am truly honoured. I’d like to dedicate this to Rachel and my dad Tom – they are a huge inspiration to me and both would have been over the moon that I’ve received this award.”

Dave joined SAS in 1996, starting out as an ambulance care assistant. He qualified as a paramedic in 2001 before going on to join SORT. His career has since spanned roles including Clinical Advisor and Practice Placement Educator.

Read more at www.scottishambulance.com/news/kam-ny-dave-bywater/

22/12/2025

Responders Unwrapped:
Day 3- Local Awareness Sessions

Community Responders aren’t just answering calls – they’re supporting Scotland to save lives.

Every CPR session, defib demo, and awareness event builds confidence and skills so that if the worst happens, someone nearby knows what to do – because of them.

From schools to sports clubs, and community groups, they give people the tools to act in those critical first minutes before help arrives.

✅ Immediate bystander CPR can double or triple the chance of survival
✅ Every person who learns these skills is another potential lifesaver

Thank you to everyone who gives up their time to share their lifesaving skills and knowledge.

19/12/2025

Responders Unwrapped:
Day 2- Ready to Respond

Community Responders check their kit, put on their hi-vis, and stand ready to give their communities reassurance and safety, attending a variety of medical emergencies.
When the radio goes off, they bring calm to chaos and life-saving care- in urban streets, rural glens, remote islands across Scotland.

Our Community Responders go the extra mile to make sure help gets there when it matters most.

18/12/2025

Responders Unwrapped:
Day 1- Supporting Local Communities

From checking in on neighbours to answering 999 calls, they bring comfort, reassurance, and life-saving care- especially during the festive season.

Here’s what they do:

✅ Respond to emergencies, often arriving before an ambulance
✅ Maintain Public Access Defibrillators (PADs)
✅ Deliver CPR and defib awareness sessions
✅ Support local health and resilience projects

Every action strengthens the bond between SAS and the communities we serve. This Christmas, we celebrate their dedication and compassion that truly make a difference.

17/12/2025

Responders Unwrapped: A Christmas Countdown

As we approach Christmas, we’re unwrapping something special, and highlighting the work of our volunteer community responders - the people who quietly show up, offer support, and help keep their communities safe.

Over the next 7 days, we’ll share a bit about what our volunteers do and recognise the various efforts of those who respond to emergencies, share life-saving skills, and support their local communities.

It’s not about grand gestures - it’s about consistency, care, and the difference made by ordinary people doing something extraordinary.

Stay tuned to see what makes our community responders so special.

(Upcoming photos courtesy of our awesome volunteers & staff)