Suffolk Accident Rescue Service (SARS) welcomes Sue Smith as its new charity director

Local emergency medical charity Suffolk Accident Rescue Service (SARS) has appointed Sue Smith (pictured above) as its new charity director.

SARS provides specialist volunteer responders who work alongside the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) to support patients at the scenes of serious medical emergencies and major trauma across Suffolk and neighbouring counties.

Sue joins the charity with decades of experience, having previously worked at the West Suffolk Hospital-based, My Wish Charity, as head of fundraising, and her experience will help support and strengthen SAR’s work across the region.

Harry Richardson, the chair of Trustees at SARS, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Sue as our new charity director. 

“She brings invaluable experience and a strong commitment to our mission, supporting our volunteer clinicians as they deliver lifesaving care to people in our local community.”

The charity’s clinical team includes solo responders and mobile critical care teams, made up of volunteer anaesthetists, critical care paramedics and other clinicians with advanced pre-hospital skills. 

Responders are mobilised through the EEAST critical care desk, which monitors incoming 999 calls and deploys specialist support where it is most needed.

Because SARS clinicians are authorised to carry specialist drugs and advanced life-saving equipment not found on frontline ambulances, they are able to deliver a higher level of care normally only available in hospital. 

This can help save lives, reduce the risk of permanent injury and provide relief from extreme pain. 

In January, the charity – which was founded in 1972 – responded to its 20,000th callout.

As many responders live locally, they can often reach patients very quickly — sometimes before any other medical resource — which can be crucial for time-critical emergencies.

Speaking about her appointment, Sue, who lives in Bury St Edmunds, said: “I’m delighted to be joining SARS. 

“The dedication and skill of the volunteer clinicians is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to working with the team, supporters and partners to help ensure this vital service continues to be there for our communities when they need it most.”

The appointment comes at an important time for the charity as it continues to expand services, respond to rising demand and develop its future strategy across the region.

For information about SARS go to www.sars999.org.uk