Duncan Parsonage, Chase and Mark Bennett

By Margaretha de Clercq: Ambulance chiefs in Staffordshire have recruited a four-legged friend to help save lives in Cannock.

West Midlands Ambulance Service has enrolled ‘Chase’, an Irish sports horse, to access areas an ambulance can’t get to.

Seven-year-old Chase will respond to emergency calls at Cannock Chase Country Par, which covers 3,000 acres.

His owner, Mark Bennett, a trauma instructor with West Midlands Fire Service, has kitted Chase out to carry a responder bag and defibrillator to help with emergencies.

“I have already put my first aid skills to the test in Cannock Chase on a motorbike,” he said.

“Being able to respond on horseback means I can quickly access patients in difficult, hard to reach locations, even before an ambulance arrives.”

Duncan Parsonage, WMAS Community Response Manager, said: “This is an excellent initiative that really could help to save lives.

“In many illnesses or injuries the first few minutes are critical and simple interventions can be performed to save lives or prevent disability.”

Anyone over 18 interested in becoming a Community First Responder can contact Duncan Parsonage on 0779 3040321.