“The Newbury Building Society tries to make a difference in the area in which it operates and aims to give our members and employees a better place to go about their day-to-day life. To celebrate our 150th birthday we have chosen to support a small charity which provides a valuable service in our local area – the West Berks Rapid Response Car Fund,” commented Nigel Fleming, CEO of Newbury Building Society. “The Newbury Building Society has contributed £10,000 towards the purchase of a new Rapid Response Vehicle. This will enable a Rapid Response Car Volunteer to reach the scene of an accident quickly and safely and we are proud to help our community in that way.”

The West Berkshire Rapid Response Car Fund was set up by Simon Smith, of Ridgeway Volkswagen, Newbury, following a conversation with Neale Marney a Rapid Response Car Volunteer. Rapid Response Volunteers receive and attend 999 calls in their spare time, when an ambulance is en route, this means that they can be at a patient’s side before the ambulance saving valuable seconds, and saving lives.

“This year we are hoping to buy at least three more cars through a number of fundraising initiatives,” said Simon Smith, Brand Manager, Ridgeway Volkswagen, Newbury. “We are very grateful to Newbury Building Society which has got the ball rolling with their generous purchase of a car. Over the coming months we are hoping to gain further sponsorship from local companies. In addition, we are currently busy organising a charity auction and have a number of other fundraising events planned.”

“The car looks great,” commented Paul Mitchell, Rapid Response Car Volunteer. “I know that over the coming months the Newbury Building Society Rapid Response Car and I will be on the road a lot. A few seconds can make the difference between life and death for you, a loved one or someone you know or work with, so we believe we are providing a valuable service in West Berks.”