THREE members of the Cotswold community have been honoured for their voluntary work as community first responders in the West Midlands Ambulance Service Community Awards.

Mark Axeby, from Long Compton, received his award after only a year's service to the community but has built up his skills and knowledge in a short time.

This year he ventured abroad to Uganda as part of a team helping communities develop. Mark was in the community teaching first aid and working with the A&E doctors.

Keith Higginson, from Brailes, has served as a community first responder for 10 years and has decided to stop at the end of this year. He holds a Queen’s Emergency Services Medal and has been previously honoured with a Chief Officer Commendation.

He is a very dedicated Responder who has raised the awareness of CFRs in the community alongside immense amounts of fundraising to keep the scheme running.

Receiving a posthumous award was Kate Hardwicke, from Long Compton who died in June. She was a registered nurse and midwife, yet she dedicated most of her spare time to saving lives and educating the community as a community first responder. In 2011 she was awarded a Chief Officer Commendation, and was a key part of the Long Compton CFR Scheme. Her award was presented to Tony Hardwicke.