Nurse's family make donation in her memory

The family of Yvonne Archer, who worked for the NHS in Norfolk for 42 years, chose to ask for donations in her memory in lieu of flowers, and have donated the money to our EEAST Charity to help support their local CFR group.

Yvonne's family asked friends and family for donations in her memory and named the East of England Ambulance Service Charity as one of the chosen recipients. Raising £557 to support the local community. 

The family have chosen the East of England Ambulance Service Charity as Yvonne dedicated 42 years to service in the NHS. Yvonne had health issues in her final years and needed emergency help from the ambulance service on several occasions.  

Elaine Thrower, Yvonne's daughter, said: 

'Yvonne Archer passed away at home August 25th aged 80. Yvonne received excellent care from East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust paramedics and team throughout her later years and at her sudden passing.

'Yvonne lived in the heart of Broadland Norfolk all her life, she understood some of the challenges of rural communities firsthand, in particular being elderly and being remote from the hospital. Yvonne was a committed NHS nurse, from nurse training at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital, to being a ward sister at Northgate Hospital in Great Yarmouth, where she ran the stroke rehabilitation ward. Yvonne completed her nursing career as a tutor for staff and students, sharing her experience in how to care for people who may have fallen or needed physical help to mobilise. She was known fondly as Sister Brinded even in her later years by staff who worked in the Great Yarmouth area.

'We, her family, took time to consider her wishes for donations received at her funeral. We sought to ensure that her life of committed caring, her passion for supporting the elderly, and her drive for helping people would be reflected in our decision. We hope that this donation will help the work of the local Community First Responder team who in rural Norfolk, may be first to the home to help someone in need, and this donation reflects the spirit of Yvonne.'

The family were keen to ensure funds raised supported the local community in the Repps-with-Baswick area, a rural Broadland village in Norfolk. Funds raised are being used to purchase a new CFR kit for use by the Coastal Villages Community First Responder Group, supporting new responders to the group, which covered the local area where Yvonne lived. 

Shelley Moore, Coordinator for the Coastal Villages and Potter Heigham CFR groups, said: 'I think this is an amazing lasting tribute to a lady who dedicated her life to the NHS, and I know that the new kit will be put to very good use - especially as we have some new CFRs about to start their training.'

The Coastal Villages and Potter Heigham Community First Responder Groups cover rural villages surrounding the Norfolk Broads (Potter Heigham / Hickling / Thurne / Ludham / Catfield) and the coastal villages from Martham down to Caister-on-sea.

Community First Responders (CFRs) are volunteers, who operate within the communities in which they live or work, often providing early life-saving emergency aid ahead of ambulance arrival. They are trained and governed by the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust. 

​Our CFR volunteers are called on any time, day or night, to help reach patients most in need.  Attending around 1,500 incidents per month, their contribution really does save lives, reduce pain and provide reassurance to those requiring emergency care. 

Your support helps fund enhanced equipment, uniform and training for our lifesaving CFR Groups.

The East of England Ambulance Service Charity operates for the benefit of staff, volunteers, and the local communities in the east of England. To find out more about the charity visit www.eastamb.nhs.uk/charity

Published 10th May 2023