A MILITARY volunteer at an ambulance service in Wiltshire has been recognised with a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours out today.

Louis Charles Edwards, from Corsham, a Senior Security Assurance Coordinator and Volunteer with the MoD Corsham Co-Responder Team, receives the BEM for services to defence and for voluntary service.

Mr Edwards, of Pine Close, said: “As volunteer co-responders, our mission is to make that big difference with patients who require a time-critical, pre-hospital response.

“At a time when every minute counts, we contribute to getting the most positive outcome possible to their situation.”

He is a member of the team at the South Central Ambulance Service who received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year alongside 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the UK.

The volunteers at SCAS are trained to attend medical emergencies and provide first aid in the crucial minutes before the arrival of paramedics.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen's coronation and is the highest given to local volunteer groups across the UK, with winners announced during the annual Volunteers’ Week celebration earlier this month. It recognises outstanding community work and is equivalent to an MBE.

Nicola Dunbar, head of community engagement and training at SCAS, said: “Our military co-responders in particular spend significant time not only assisting with medical emergencies in their local communities but also voluntarily raising funds to provide vehicles and equipment.

“This award rightly recognises their outstanding commitment, dedication and achievements and is thoroughly deserved given the role these individuals play in caring for patients and saving lives.”

Volunteer co-responders, who are made up of members of the armed forces and other emergency services, attend a variety of emergencies and provide first aid in the crucial minutes before the arrival of paramedics.

The MOD Corsham Military Co-Responder Scheme, although based outside of the SCAS patch in Wiltshire, can be deployed across the SCAS counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire.

The volunteers also raise funds for South Central Ambulance Charity to provide vehicles and equipment for use in their local communities as part of their responder schemes.