This year, we’re delighted to be partnering with BEAT – Billingshurst Emergency Assistance Team.

The Billingshurst Emergency Assistance Team (BEAT) is your local Community First Responder (CFR) scheme which covers Billingshurst and many of the surrounding villages. CFRs are unpaid volunteers who are trained by the local ambulance service to respond to medical emergencies in their communities. If a CFR is available, they will be sent to 999 calls in addition to an ambulance and can treat and reassure patients until the ambulance arrives. CFRs attend a variety of calls, ranging from but not limited to cardiac arrests, chest pains and breathing difficulties to minor trauma and falls. CFRs carry a range of equipment including defibrillators, oxygen and airway management; they also carry and are trained to administer certain drugs.

BEAT was set up in late 2005 and started attending calls in February 2006. Its volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds but they have all received extensive training from the ambulance service to provide maximum support and treatment to poorly and injured members of their communities. We are always keen to attract new members, if you are interested please contact the team via the website.

Another important thing BEAT does is to set up Public Access Defibrillators (PADs). Here, defibrillators are placed in prominent locations in the community, and can be used if needed by members of the public. If the ambulance service receives a call where a defibrillator is needed, they will advise the person making the call where the nearest PAD site is and be given access codes if required; they are incredibly easy and safe to use and give clear instructions. BEAT is responsible for over 30 PAD sites in Billingshurst and many of its surrounding villages and hamlets. The team also deliver defibrillator and CPR awareness sessions to local community groups.

BEAT is a registered charity (no. 1119641) and is always keen to attract funding to help it maintain its current PAD sites and set up new sites in the future. For more information about BEAT, including details of how to make a donation, please visit www.beatresponders.org.uk

We’re looking forward to supporting Paul and his incredible team throughout 2026 — raising awareness, funds, and doing our part to give back to the community that supports us.

Here’s to another year of making a positive impact together