The Sussex Freemasons Community Charity supports Medi Tech Trust

When local charity Medi Tech Trust realised that 1 in 3 people aged 65 or over will have a fall each year, it launched a Community Initiative to donate Raizer M Lifting Chairs to Community Volunteer First Responder Teams throughout East Sussex, including Brighton and Hove. The charity received a donation from four masonic groups in Eastbourne, which was then matched funded by the Sussex Freemasons Community Charity, who also added their own generous donation. Their generosity has definitely brought forward the donation of several more Raizer M Lifting Chairs!

 The charity has earmarked some funds for further chairs, although more donations are needed to equip all the East Sussex Community Volunteer First Responders teams.  The Trustees are appealing to businesses, clubs, fraternal societies and the public to consider donating towards the cost of this much needed equipment.

 When an elderly or frail person suffers a fall and is unable to get up, a First Responder is reliant upon the ambulance service for help lifting that person and may have to wait for hours until an ambulance crew can attend. Being in an immobile position for a long time might lead to a person needing hospital treatment, which might be prevented if they could be safely moved. A Raizer M Lifting Chair, costing around £2,000, is a safe solution as one First Responder can easily operate it. The chair can gently lift a fallen person into a comfortable sitting position within minutes. The person is stabilised with a seat belt and headrest, so there is no neck strain during the lift.   The chair is operated with no strain on the First Responder as the lifting process is at a pace the First Responder can manage and control.

 In July, the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mr Andrew Blackman, CStJ, presented the first ten chairs donated through Medi Tech Trust to Community Volunteer First Responder teams from Bexhill, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Hastings, Heathfield, Hurst Green, Newhaven/Seaford, Polegate, Rye and Uckfield.

 If you would like to support the dedicated Community Volunteer First Responders and your local community, please contact: Medi Tech Trust, Unit 6, Swan Barn Business Centre, Hailsham BN27 2BY. Tel: 01323 442211 Email: [email protected]