Brothers join forces to support Newark Community First Aid with a £6,000 donation for the first aid treatment centre

Newark Community First Aid (NCFA) have received a six thousand pound donation towards their first aid treatment centre at Newark Showground.

NCFA are working in partnership with Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society (NNAS) which runs the Showground to generate funds for agriculture, education and the rural community.

Representatives of the two charities met to discuss the progress of the project.

Past-presidents of NNAS Mr Tony Strawson and Mr David Strawson, Newark Showground chief executive Mr Simon Eccleston, NFCA chair Dr Margaret McDougald and NFCA operations manager Mr Philip Jessop met to outline the plans and progress for the new £85,000 First Aid Treatment Centre.

The new building will have improved access and facilities for those with disabilities and infection control will be enhanced from floor to ceiling with wipe clean surfaces and ventilation systems. The project includes an ambulance loading bay and improved facilities for the volunteer first-aiders with toilet, shower, kitchen, and rest room.

Tony Strawson raised £3,000 for the project from friends and colleagues which his brother David had agreed to match.

They donated a total of £6,000 to the project.

Philip Jessop said "This is a tremendous boost to our fundraising, Tony and David explained their lifelong relationship with the Nottinghamshire County Show and the Agricultural Society, having visited first with their parents over 70 years ago.

"Their support and that of others will enable us to provide much improved facilities, allowing our volunteers to give the highest standards of care. The Treatment Centre will enhance further the facilities on the Showground cementing its position as the premier East Midlands Events Centre."

Newark Community First Aid are now asking people to support the Big Give Christmas Challenge ­— this is a matched funding campaign from November 30 to December 7.

Philip Jessop said: "We have secured £2,000 in pledges from local supporters. In order to release these pledges we need to raise £4,000 during the Challenge week.

"We are asking if people can organise a fundraising event or donate that week -we can then double their donations– we would be delighted to send people information on the campaign and how they can donate."

For more information contact newarkcommunityfirstaiders@hotmail.com or 07973 904808.