Arran Coastguard scoops national Newton Award
We’re
thrilled to share the news that one of our Arran Coastguards, Fiona Laing was
presented with the Newton Award for services to cardiac arrest response in
Scotland at the Scottish Cardiac Arrest Symposium held earlier today in Glasgow,
Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Fiona was nominated for the award by local GP Dr David Hogg. He said in his nomination: 'Fiona typifies community-minded awesomeness! She has single-handedly maintained a team of 24/7 Community First Responder cover for over 13 years to the Lochranza and Catacol communities. She gives her time without question to lots of community CPR-training events – from Cubs to Brownies, to older people and working with multiple professional groups. Furthermore she has instigated the roll out of over 20 community access defibrillators across Arran, and in the process has stimulated communities to not only raise the funds, but consider their own CPR awareness. Fiona does not seek recognition, but she readily deserves it. She typifies the sort of *OHCA-championing that is required to reach the more rural parts of Scotland – and all with a sense of fun, cheer and selfless dedication, and is passionate about doing whatever she can to improve *OHCA survival in her community.'
Trevor Robertson, Area Commander for the UK Coastguard congratulated Fiona on the award saying: 'I have only had the privilege of working with Fiona since April 2015 but in that short time, I have been extremely impressed with the dedication and devotion she has demonstrated, not only in her recently appointed role as Station Officer for the HM Coastguard team on Arran but also in the very many other roles she performs for the benefit of the whole community. She is a person full of passion, commitment, integrity and drive - a truly selfless individual. I am in awe of her many achievements, she is a wonderful example of humanity at its best and so deserving of this lovely award. HM Coastguard and all the organisation to which she gives her time are so fortunate to have her within their ranks.'
In addition to her community first response activities, Fiona is also a volunteer firefighter at Lochranza Fire Station.
The background behind the Newton Award:
In April 2014, Gregor Newton, aged 43, suffered a cardiac arrest at his home and survived due to several factors being in place. His wife Judy, initiated CPR immediately, their children summoned help quickly. Bystanders assisted without question, call handlers co-ordinated and gained information quickly, community first responders delivered defibrillations, paramedics, police and many more that go un-recognised, were involved and helped save his life.
Without the help received from those professionals and volunteers, their family would not be intact today. The family wanted to create a way to simply recognise the outstanding work that is carried out all over the country on a daily basis.
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| Fiona Laing with her Newton Award |
Fiona was nominated for the award by local GP Dr David Hogg. He said in his nomination: 'Fiona typifies community-minded awesomeness! She has single-handedly maintained a team of 24/7 Community First Responder cover for over 13 years to the Lochranza and Catacol communities. She gives her time without question to lots of community CPR-training events – from Cubs to Brownies, to older people and working with multiple professional groups. Furthermore she has instigated the roll out of over 20 community access defibrillators across Arran, and in the process has stimulated communities to not only raise the funds, but consider their own CPR awareness. Fiona does not seek recognition, but she readily deserves it. She typifies the sort of *OHCA-championing that is required to reach the more rural parts of Scotland – and all with a sense of fun, cheer and selfless dedication, and is passionate about doing whatever she can to improve *OHCA survival in her community.'
Trevor Robertson, Area Commander for the UK Coastguard congratulated Fiona on the award saying: 'I have only had the privilege of working with Fiona since April 2015 but in that short time, I have been extremely impressed with the dedication and devotion she has demonstrated, not only in her recently appointed role as Station Officer for the HM Coastguard team on Arran but also in the very many other roles she performs for the benefit of the whole community. She is a person full of passion, commitment, integrity and drive - a truly selfless individual. I am in awe of her many achievements, she is a wonderful example of humanity at its best and so deserving of this lovely award. HM Coastguard and all the organisation to which she gives her time are so fortunate to have her within their ranks.'
In addition to her community first response activities, Fiona is also a volunteer firefighter at Lochranza Fire Station.
The background behind the Newton Award:
In April 2014, Gregor Newton, aged 43, suffered a cardiac arrest at his home and survived due to several factors being in place. His wife Judy, initiated CPR immediately, their children summoned help quickly. Bystanders assisted without question, call handlers co-ordinated and gained information quickly, community first responders delivered defibrillations, paramedics, police and many more that go un-recognised, were involved and helped save his life.
Without the help received from those professionals and volunteers, their family would not be intact today. The family wanted to create a way to simply recognise the outstanding work that is carried out all over the country on a daily basis.
*OHCA is out
of hospital cardiac arrest
Watch Fiona Laing talking about her award here:
Fiona Laing - Newton Award 2016
Watch Fiona Laing talking about her award here:
Fiona Laing - Newton Award 2016
