THE parish of Mallerstang, near Kirkby Stephen, in the Upper Eden Valley has achieved a Silver Cardiac Smart Award from the North West Ambulance Service.

Served by the Upper Eden Community First Responders Team, the parish was nominated for the award following a series of Heart Start Training sessions in the valley.

Parish chairman and Community First Responder, Annie Hamilton-Gibney said: “We held two Heart Start training sessions in the parish both of which were well attended; this means that approximately 20 per cent of the residents of Mallerstang are now trained in CPR (Cardiac Pulmonary Respiration) and use of a defibrillator.”

Mrs Hamilton-Gibney joined by her parents John Hamilton (Vice Chair of Mallerstang Parish Meeting) and Wyn Hamilton, to attend an award presentation ceremony at Bolton Wanderers’s Reebok Stadium. A celebratory plaque was presented to Mallerstang Parish Meeting by Bob Williams, the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Chief Executive.

The CardiacSmart award recognises organisations and individuals for their dedication to raising awareness of heart health, basic life support and defibrillators in their local communities.

Cumbria County Councillor and Community First Responder Libby Bateman said “This is a great achievement for a remote rural community and I am pleased that the efforts of the residents have been recognised with this award.”