King's donation helps charity 'save lives 24/7'

Volunteer life-savers said a "generous" donation from King Charles would help them to carry on their emergency work following their busiest ever year.

Norfolk Accident Rescue Service (NARS) said it was the second year they had received a gift from the Privy Purse Charitable Trust on behalf of the King.

The Dereham-based charity, staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses, paramedics and first responders who attend 999 calls across the county, was called out more than 2,000 times last year.

"We can't disclose the amount, but it goes straight to keeping us operational and saving lives 24/7," said Steve Maddams, a NARS first responder.

"We're truly grateful to His Majesty the King for recognising us as a charity to give a donation to," Mr Maddams added.

"Every single penny makes a huge difference to us to buy our equipment, the vehicles, latest uniform and to keep us out there."

The Privy Purse Charitable Trust makes donations to charities of which the monarch is patron and comes from their private income.

Mr Maddams, who is also part of NARS' leadership team, said while it was the second time King Charles had made the grant via the trust, the Queen had also previously donated to the cause in the same way.

NARS said it demonstrated the King's "continued commitment to the safety and well-being of the people of Norfolk".

The charity was started in 1970 and relies completely on charitable donations.

It helps to assist the ambulance service in treating seriously ill or injured patients, often at the roadside or hard to reach areas.

Volunteers in closest reach of any emergencies, including road crashes, heart attacks and seizures, are sent out as they happen.

NARS said its 50-strong team of medics normally attended about 1,600 incidents a year, but last year it was called out more than 2,000 times.

In December, it said the number of call-outs - which then stood at 1,900 - had broken all its previous records.

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