Lord Wandsworth College mechanic saves lives as volunteer

Jason Browne, from Alton, works at Lord Wandsworth College, and volunteers as a community first responder for the South Central Ambulance Service.

He started volunteering after his son had a seizure and was taken to hospital.

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Jason Browne volunteered after his son had a seizure (Image: Lord Wandsworth College) Jason, who also looks after a team of community first responders in Alton and Bordon, said: "You need to volunteer for a minimum of 20 hours a month to be a community first responder.

"At the moment, I'm doing 40 to 50 a week because of the pressures on the ambulance service and because I really want to help people.

"There are people dying who don't need to."

The 51-year-old responds to category red calls made to the ambulance service.

He said: "I go to cardiac arrests, strokes, anaphylaxis, diabetic crisis... anything which requires ambulance back-up within 30 minutes.

"We go wherever they need us. Yesterday I attended two jobs in Basingstoke and was the first medic there by 20 minutes. But I'll go further than Basingstoke if I need to.

"The furthest I've been is Southsea, sometimes Southampton."

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His position at Lord Wandsworth College has allowed him to help out during his working hours.

Jason said: "You need a massively flexible employer.

"I sent an email to my managers, explaining the pressures the ambulance service was under and asking if I could help out as a responder during my working hours.

"I had an answer the next day saying, 'Absolutely fine, no problem.'"

A spokesman for Lord Wandsworth College added: "We're incredibly proud of the work that Jason does as a community first responder and are delighted to be able to support him in performing such a critical role in our local community."