A specially-equipped MG6 GT is helping FastAid volunteers in the West Midlands to respond to life-threatening incidents.

FastAid is a group of highly-trained community first responders who support West Midlands Ambulance Service by attending 999 calls in their area.

The MG6 GT has a distinctive diamond grade livery so that it can be clearly seen (even at night) travelling to the scene of an accident.

The car is fitted with an ambulance service radio and carries an automated external defibrillator which is critical to saving patients who have suffered a cardiac arrest.

Bulky equipment needed by the community first responders is carried in the boot of the MG6 GT.

Richard Jay, vice chairman of FastAid, said: "The cargo space in the MG6 is enormous and allows us to carry all of our specialist equipment with ease."

Ashley Almquest, a FastAid volunteer, highlighted another standard feature of the MG6 GT which has proved valuable to answering emergency calls - the built-in satellite navigation system.

He said: "The screen is so clear, the maps are really good and it's easy to use. It can save us vital minutes when we are responding to an urgent call when someone's life could depend on us getting to the scene quickly."

The FastAid MG6 will mainly operate in the greater Birmingham and Solihull areas of the West Midlands where the charity was set up eight years ago.

It costs up to £2,000 to train and equip each FastAid responder.

Andy Jeynes, the West Midlands Ambulance Service community response manager, said: "We are extremely grateful to the MG Sales Centre for supplying the MG6. It's already proved its worth on several call outs when the speed of response, and being able to arrive on scene with the right kit, is crucial.

"Without the support of local companies and organisations, such as the MG Sales Centre, we wouldn't be able to keep doing what we do in our local communities."

Simon Bennett (pictured, left handing over the keys), a sales executive at the MG sales centre in Lowhill Lane, Longbridge, said: "We're very proud that our local community first responders are saving lives in one of our cars. It's about giving something back to the community we live in and we hope that our support helps FastAid to continue the excellent work it does."

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