Melton first responder 'speechless' after being awarded a BEM
A Melton Mowbray woman admitted she was ‘speechless’ after being informed she was being recognised in the King's New Year’s Honours List.
Ina Scott (76), one of the founder members of the Melton Community First Responders group, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for her services to the community.
It follows her first responders group receiving the coveted King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest UK honour a voluntary group can get – back in April.
On her BEM, Ina told the Melton Times: “When I got the letter I was speechless.
"I would like to thank everyone who has volunteered with me in the group over the years – I couldn’t do what I do without them and they couldn’t do what they do without me.
"When we started the group I didn’t think I’d still be part of it 20-odd years later.”
Ina and husband, Peter, were founder members of the local first responders group in 2004.
The eight current volunteer members are trained by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) to respond to local emergencies.
They often arrive before an ambulance can get there, such is the rural nature of the Melton area.
On the vital work that they do, Ina said: “It is rewarding to be able to help someone when they are desperately in need of medical help.
"Every call-out is memorable, to be honest.
"My first ever one does stick out though – the gentleman was having a heart attack but he survived it with our help.”
She added: “A lot of what we do is giving tender loving care to people, not just for the patient but for their family too.
"They are so relieved that someone is there to take charge.”
Ina now concentrates on co-ordinating the service, which can be a logistical challenge ensuring volunteers from a wide range of different backgrounds are available to give 24/7 cover, when deployed by EMAS.
The group has just raised £18,000, including a contribution from the National Lottery, to replace their life-saving defibrillators.
“These new defibrillators are tiny and much lighter and they will be ready for us to use in February,” said Ina, who has two children and four grandchildren.
"I want to thank the public for helping us raise the money for them – we’ve always said that the people of Melton are very generous and so supportive.”
She added: “I have kept saying that it was time to retire.
"But I mainly do paperwork now and it is important for the group.”
Husband Peter (73), who nominated his wife, added: “I think it’s brilliant that Ina has been recognised.
"The back office work she does for the first responders is very important and this is a very well deserved award for her.”
Ina will be presented with the medal by the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE, some time in the new year.
It was Mr Kapur who presented the King’s Award to the first responders, when he hailed their ‘selfless dedication to saving lives’.
She will be invited to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace with all the other people from across the UK named in the New Year list.