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Galloping to the Rescue!
Chase, Mark Bennet and Duncan Parsonage, community response manager.
Seven year old ‘Chase’ – an Irish sports horse - is the latest recruit to West Midlands Ambulance Service Community First Responder scheme.

Chase, an Irish sports horse and his owner Mark Bennett will soon be galloping to the rescue on Cannock Chase, responding to 999 emergency calls on behalf of WMAS, prior to the arrival of an ambulance.

Cannock Chase Country Park is one of largest country parks in the region covering 4.5 square miles (3,000 acres). With the country park being largely inaccessible by normal road vehicles, responding to incidents can occasionally prove tricky for the ambulance service.

The park attracts visitors all year round, with many enjoying activities such as horse riding, mountain biking and rambling.

With Mark’s additional knowledge of Cannock Chase Country Park and his ability to get around it quickly, he could potentially advise ambulance crews, who will often have to take to foot, of the best routes to take in order to quickly reach incidents.
Talking about the new initiative, Mark said: “As a trauma instructor for the fire service, I have always had an interest in first aid and have undertaken numerous pre-hospital care courses. I decided to join WMAS’ community response scheme a couple of years ago initially responding in Pelsall, Walsall prior to moving to Penkridge.

“I have already found myself having to put my first aid skills to the test in the country park on a couple of occasions. Being able to respond on horse back (or motorbike, if needs be) means that I can quickly access patients in difficult, hard to reach locations, prior to the arrival of the ambulance service.”


Mark, who is an experienced rider of 12 years, has kitted ‘Chase’ out to enable him to carry essential equipment to incidents including a responder bag and defibrillator.

Duncan Parsonage, WMAS Community Response Manager for South Staffordshire, said: “This is an excellent initiative that really could help to save lives. In many illnesses or injuries the first few minutes are critical and simple interventions can be performed in order to save lives or prevent disability. With Mark’s additional knowledge of Cannock Chase Country Park and his ability to get around it quickly, he could potentially advise ambulance crews, who will often have to take to foot, of the best routes to take in order to quickly reach incidents.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.