An appeal has gone out after a First Responder's bag of life-saving medical kit and a heart-starting defibrillator were stolen in Heysham.
The kit bag and defib, used on emergency call-outs around the Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham area, were taken from a volunteer Community First Responder's car on Friday night.
The defib was later found and handed in but the response bag containing medical equipment remains missing.
Community First Responders, or CFRs, are trained by North West Ambulance Service and dispatched in their own vehicles to attend 999 emergencies prior to the arrival of an ambulance, able to provide early interventions in those crucial first minutes of an emergency.
A post on the Lancaster & Morecambe Community First Responders page said they were "absolutely shocked".
"We have had a kit bag and defib stolen in the Heysham area.
"This means that now, one of our responders is totally unable to respond to life threatening emergencies around Lancaster and Morecambe.
"Please if anyone hears or sees anything, contact Lancashire Police.
"If you happen to find the bag or defib, please hand in to your nearest ambulance station."
A crowdfunding page has been set up HERE for the First Responders, and at time of writing £225 has been raised.
Charlotte Henderson, who set up the page, wrote: "Due to one of on the Morecambe and Lancaster Community First Responders having their full kit bag and defibrillator stolen from their car, I’m raising funds to replace their full kit for them to be able to respond on behalf of the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) to a range of 999 calls.
"The CFR emergency response kit bag costs around £2000+. The funds raised will go towards replacing the equipment stolen."
On Sunday the CFR team posted an update saying:
"Last night, the stolen defib was located and handed in to Morecambe ambulance station.
"We would like to say a massive thanks to the person who handed it in.
"The response from the community has been truly amazing.
"We are still missing the kit bag and its contents. A new bag is being sourced from NWAS and funds donated will be used to purchase a new obs kit.
"We are truly grateful for all the donations we received to the just giving page."
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