Double delight First Response founder Alan’s awards
A Perthshire man passionate about the importance of first aid scooped two national awards in two days.
Alan Moffat, founder of Comrie First Response, was awarded the title of Community First Aid Champion at the Scottish First Aid Awards for his hard work and dedication to helping communities become first aid ready, and he also took home a Staff and Volunteer trophy at the Scottish Ambulance Service’s awards.
Alan was presented with the accolades at separate glittering ceremonies held in Glasgow last week.
Both trophies recognise the community minded Strathearn man’s efforts in promoting the importance of first aid.
A spokesperson for St Andrew’s First Aid which hosted the Scottish First Aid Awards said: “Alan played a key role in setting up one of the first community response groups in Comrie and has encouraged many other communities to follow suit.
“He has helped to train over 500 pupils, staff members and families in CPR at the Community School of Auchterader.
“He has also worked tirelessly to ensure that defibrillators were purchased and well placed within his community, mapping their locations for the Scottish Ambulance Service.”
Alan confessed he was delighted with both awards but also shocked as he still has no idea who nominated him.
He said: “Being nominated and winning was overwhelming and I am very humbled by the great people who were also nominated.
“I do think it should be compulsory for everyone in Scotland to do first aid and I am striving to make sure every child in my local area and local authority has been taught at the very least CPR and the recovery position.” Comrie’s Alan Moffat is presented with the Community First Aid Champion trophy by cardiac arrest survivor Chris Solomons
Alan was presented with one of his awards by cardiac arrest survivor Chris Solomons.
He added: “Winning the award was amazing and to be presented it by Chris Solomons was breath taking as I use Chris’s BBC video in every course I teach and meeting him was just mind blowing.
“I believe that simple things save lives. Winning the awards was a massive pleasure; just to be nominated was an achievement, never mind going on to win.”
Stuart Callison, chief executive officer of St Andrew’s First Aid, said: “Alan has dedicated himself to promoting and delivering first aid to his community.
“He has worked tirelessly to educate people about the importance of first aid and supported local residents in setting up one of the first community response groups.
“First aid is simple to learn but can be essential when someone has been injured or collapsed.
“Scotland needs more people trained in first aid like him and we need the support of the public to help us so we can create a nation of lifesavers.”