THE co-ordinator of Canvey Island First Responders, Mick Allwood, has stepped down.

After four years of service to the island, Mick has opted to step away due to health reasons.

He said: “I feel I need to step down, I have put in a good shift over my time here.

“I suffered with pneumonia in November and was hospitalised with that. I started to ponder over the decision near Christmas after I had recovered.

“It’s a reflective time anyway, particularly for me. I lost both of my parents to respiratory diseases.

“I decided for my health I was due a time out.”

Mick joined the first responders in 2014 having been a first aid instructor for the coastguard. Within six months, he was co-ordinating the group.

He added: “I am proud and pleased to say it has become one of the best groups in the East of England.”

The co-ordinator cited an island-wide defibrillator programme, which he spearheaded, as one of his most memorable experiences in his time.

He added: “Once the next two have been put in place, that will be ten in total around Canvey.

“I’m also proud of the Canvey Island Community First Responders Hub, which has become a real asset to the community.

“Being recognised by the trust last year and awarded for our work was amazing, it really was a proud moment for the team.

“The personal thank yous, receiving letters and small gifts which let you know the difference you have made, is just unbeatable.”

Between 2016 and this year, Mick has given up 10,145 hours and attended 2,371 calls.

The new co-ordinator was announced on January 28, after the responders anonymously voted by ballot. They showed their gratitude to Mick throughout the evening by celebrating his hard work with a poem by Darren Wood, one of the responders, along with gifts and speeches.

Stephanie Trew has been announced as the new co-ordinator.

Mick said: “Stephanie will be embracing some new projects; it’s been discussed that the responders will be attending to falls in the future.

“The responders will also continue to push to go into schools and teach first aid to the children.

“Stephanie is now taking the reigns, it’s time to hand the legacy over.

“We have a really good team here, they are a rare breed giving up so much of their spare time. Over the past four years everyone has grown around me, we’re a family. I know we will keep in touch.

“It’s been a pleasure, it was a tough decision but the right one.”

Stephanie has been a first responder for more than two years.

She added: “I’m excited to take on my new role, I’ve always liked a challenge and to push myself.

“I think I can carry on what Mick has put in place and I feel chuffed to have been chosen to do that for him.

“I assure you we will continue responding and delivering community events for life support and awareness.

“I want the decisions I make in the future to be a group decision, a real team effort. I’m looking forward to see what this fantastic group can do next.

“Mick has left a great legacy which will be a hard act to follow. It’s been tough to get the group to where they are at, everything Mick ever put in place was for the community.

“It’s a sad loss but Mick will still be here to support and advise the group.”

Mick plans to continue responding, despite standing down as co-ordinator.