THE Rotary Club has stepped in and helped a vital emergency service threatened with closure.

Whiteley Community Respond-ers was on the brink of collapse, but the village Rotary Club has adopted it as one of its charities.

The service, which provides emergency medical treatment before the arrival of ambulance paramedics, won the support of a number of Daily Echo readers after the paper highlighted its plight earlier this year.

Now it is celebrating the good news from the Rotarians that will see it saving lives for at least another year.

Dave Crowther, 45, a full-time ambulance technician and the Whiteley team leader, said: "It was quite a victory gaining support from the Rotary Club.

"We have had a couple of dealings with them and highlighted what we were about and they got right behind us."

Whiteley Community Respond-ers is made up of Mr Crowther and Keith Hockenhull, both of whom are volunteers and were trained by Hampshire Ambulance.

The responder scheme started four years ago and has saved a number of lives because its members are able to get to most calls within three to five minutes.

It needs £1,500 a year to keep operating. Whiteley Rotary Club has donated £1,000, with more promised.

Sandra Donaldson, club chairman, said: "We made a commitment to serve the community and one way of doing that is supporting Dave and the team.

"We know of a number of incidents in which they have responded and saved lives with their speed and good work.

"They are doing a fantastic job in the area."

Whiteley Community Respond-ers are hoping to buy new equipment, including an improved defibrillator that can be used on youngsters in need.

To find out more about the work of First Responders, call Dave Crowther on 01489 603380.