A CAR has been donated to a voluntary first aid group in memory of a woman described as a “larger than life character”.

Patti Wilkes’ car has been donated to Worcester and Malvern Community First Responders by her husband Colin and son Rick Bailey after it was decided it would be best used there rather than for West Midland Search and Rescue, where it was originally donated.

Mr Bailey, who is also chairman of West Midlands Search and Rescue, said: “She was always a larger than life figure in the community through many operatic shows and ladies’ circle events and was subsequently very widely known.

“In the last conversation I was able to have with my mother, she had expressed her pride and gratitude in the help that I was able to offer her through the knowledge gained and assurance I was able to give her from being a CFR. It is thus fitting that I am able to put something back into the scheme that had given me the opportunity to make a difference to someone close.”

The car was liveried and serviced for free by Absolute Control, of Pershore, and Lowes Garage Services, of Worcester, respectively and the AA has donated a year’s free rescue cover.

The car will be used by the Worcester and Malvern CFR scheme to attend medical emergencies while an ambulance resource is en route.

Peter Binney, the area organiser for Worcester and Malvern CFRs, said: “This is another example of how the local CFRs and West Midland Search and Rescue work together to provide support for WMAS and the local community. I am sure this vehicle will help us provide a good service to our locality.”

Anyone wishing to become a CFR can contact Noel Orbell, West Midlands Ambulance Service’s community response manager for Worcestershire, on 07980 094808 or the CFR Admin office on 01743 273677.