I HAD the real pleasure this week of attending the West Midlands Ambulance Service Volunteer Awards held in Hereford.

The awards recognised the fantastic achievements of volunteer lifesavers in our county and across the region who give many hours of their time free of charge each week to help other people in distress as well as fund-raising to support the service itself.

Community First Responders, for example, are vital, particularly in more rural and remote areas, as they are often the first on the scene at an accident and there are many examples where their presence has made the difference between life and death.

The efforts of volunteers in our communities cannot be underestimated.

The Ambulance Service Awards were a wonderful reminder of the goodness of people. I want to thank all volunteers and celebrate their vital work in our communities.

SARAH CARR, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate