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Glenreagh Has Heart


Glenreagh Has Heart

Author: NRMA MediaDate: 24 September 2008

Retired ambulance officer Geoff Hicks was yesterday recognised for his tireless efforts in the Glenreagh community at the 2008 NRMA Motoring & Services’ Helping People Awards®.

The volunteer efforts of Geoff Hicks from Glenreagh in Northern NSW shone out from the 300 NRMA Helping People Award nominations to earn him a place among the four winning recipients for this year.

NRMA Director Wendy Machin congratulated Mr Hicks for his achievement and said this year’s nominations were tough to judge but Geoff stood out as a volunteer who really did go above and beyond for his community.

"Geoff Hicks won the Senior Volunteer Helping People Award for his efforts in setting up an innovative medical response team to assist people in critical condition while waiting for an ambulance," Ms Machin said.

Glenreagh Heartstart provides crucial medical assistance to people who can sometimes wait up to 40 minutes for the nearest ambulance to arrive. With volunteer officers in Glenreagh, Nana Glen and Coramba, ‘Heartstart’ provides much needed medical support to these rural regions.

Wendy Machin said Geoff’s team made a real difference in the community and saves lives."

"It has been a monumental two-year effort for Geoff to get the ‘Heartstart’ team up and running but his perseverance and dedication to providing the life-saving service is a real win for the community," Ms Machin said.

"He is a big-hearted hero who is always willing to give his time to help someone in need with no expectation of anything in return."

The four winners of this year’s Helping People Awards were awarded $5,000 each towards the work of their charity and a share of $20,000 worth of international and domestic travel courtesy of NRMA Travel and Travelodge. Mr Hicks will enjoy a five-night stay at the Adina Apartments in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Mr Hicks thanked the NRMA and said he was excited about the difference $5,000 would make to Glenreagh Heartstart.

"We would like to get a permanently stocked vehicle which could shave five minutes off arrival time to a critically ill person. Five minutes doesn’t sound like much but when you are having chest pains it can mean the difference between life and death."

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