Fiona Laing of Arran has been revealed as a finalist in the Scottish Health Awards ahead of the November prizegiving.
Aptly taking place in the same year the NHS is marking its 75th anniversary, the awards celebrate the dedication of the selfless heroes in the health and social care services.
Fiona has been nominated for the volunteers award for her work on the island for the Scottish Ambulance Service, along with two others.
As a community first responder, Fiona comes to the aid of people having a heart attack, chest pains, a stroke, breathing difficulties or choking.
Trained to use a defibrillator, deliver oxygen, confirm if a patient is having a stroke and and carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR), Fiona co-ordinates the 27-strong first responders.
They cover the island in nine teams 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, looking after the needs of the 5,000 people who live on Arran, with the population rising to 25,000 with summer visitors.
The 51-year-old is also a Coastguard rescue officer and has volunteered with them for the last 17 years. She has been a volunteer firefighter for 28 years and led the fundraising and placement of public access defibrillators across the island.
“I’m humbled and grateful to be nominated for the Health Awards. It’s always nice when people say thank you,” Fiona said.
Run by the Daily Record in partnership with NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, November 2 will see the O2 Academy in Edinburgh filled with inspiring heroes coming together to hear their stories told and be rewarded for their incredible hard work.
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