BASICS Essex is inviting businesses, community groups and organisations across the region to book its new ‘Field First Aid’ sessions – designed to equip teams with practical, life-saving skills that could make a critical difference in an emergency. Delivered by experienced volunteer clinicians, the sessions bring real-world emergency care knowledge directly into workplaces and community settings, helping groups feel more confident and prepared to act when it matters most. Practical skills for real-life emergencies The ‘Field First Aid’ sessions focus on simple, effective techniques that can be applied immediately in everyday situations, covering: Cardiac arrest and the chain of survival How to get help quickly and effectively Managing major bleeds and recognising internal bleeding Responding to burns and choking incidents Using everyday items to deliver life-saving care Designed to be engaging and accessible, the sessions can be tailored to suit a wide range of groups — from offices and local businesses to sports clubs and community organisations. Bringing life-saving knowledge into the community BASICS Essex provides emergency pre-hospital critical care, with volunteer doctors and paramedics responding to the most serious 999 incidents at the request of the East of England Ambulance Service. Attending over 300 critical incidents each year, the team regularly sees how early intervention can significantly improve outcomes. By working directly with organisations and community groups, BASICS Essex aims to strengthen emergency response at a local level — ensuring more people are equipped with the confidence and skills to step in before professional help arrives Kim Turner, Corporate and Community Fundraising Manager, BASICS Essex, said: "Every session we deliver helps build a stronger, more prepared community — but it also raises awareness of the work we do and the need for ongoing support. As a charity, we rely on donations to continue responding to life-threatening emergencies across Essex." Book a session for your team or group Organisations interested in hosting a ‘Field First Aid’ session or arranging a talk can register their interest here While sessions are delivered as part of BASICS Essex’s community outreach, the charity relies on donations to continue its life-saving work, and support is always greatly appreciated. Whether you’re a business looking to support staff wellbeing, a community group wanting to build confidence, or an organisation keen to make a difference locally — BASICS Essex is ready to bring life-saving skills directly to you.

Nineteen determined runners have helped raise more than £50,000 for BASICS Essex after taking on the London Marathon — supporting the charity’s volunteer clinicians as they continue responding to life-threatening emergencies across Essex. From first-time marathon runners to inspirational milestone challenges and family fundraising efforts, each participant had their own deeply personal reason for running the iconic 26.2-mile course. Together, their efforts will help BASICS Essex continue delivering emergency pre-hospital critical care to seriously ill and injured patients at the roadside, in homes and in rural locations across the county. The charity’s team of volunteer doctors, paramedics and responders are called out by the East of England Ambulance Service to some of the region’s most serious incidents. Already in 2026, BASICS Essex has responded to 164 critical care incidents — with fundraising remaining vital to keeping the charity operational. This year’s marathon team highlighted not only the physical challenge of the event itself, but the incredible spirit of community, kindness and determination behind every pound raised. Inspirational Stories Among the runners was 27-year-old Stefanos Katsaros, who completed his very first London Marathon for BASICS Essex. Stefanos said: “Having a background of working on commercial ships, a brief stint in the military as part of my national service and a family heavily involved with voluntary search and rescue teams in Corfu, Greece, I realise and appreciate the importance of an organisation like BASICS Essex that carries out a mission to save lives and keep people safe. “Very seldom are opportunities given to run for a cause and raise awareness for an organisation of people who use their free time as volunteers to genuinely make a difference and protect the everyday citizen.” Another inspiring runner was Catherine Studd, who chose to take on the London Marathon as part of her 70th birthday celebrations. Despite suffering severe cramp in both legs during the race, Catherine showed remarkable resilience to complete the challenge in just over six hours, while also showing kindness by stopping to walk with a lady who had fallen over. The event also saw father-and-daughter duo John and Daisy Tyszkiewicz, who have taken part in the London Marathon for BASICS Essex for ten years, continuing their fantastic support for the charity. For many runners, the fundraising journey itself became one of the most rewarding parts of the experience — proving that supporting a charity does not always have to mean huge events or difficult targets. Putting the fun in Fundraising Runner Gemma Louise embraced fundraising in a fun and community-focused way, organising bake sales at work, hosting a charity family brunch and even selling unwanted toys to help raise money for BASICS Essex. Her efforts reflected the wider spirit of the marathon team, with supporters using everything from workplace events and sweepstakes to social media challenges and local community support to boost donations. Kim Turner, Corporate and Community Fundraising Officer for BASICS Essex said: “We are incredibly proud of all of our London Marathon runners, to collectively raise more than £45,000 is simply phenomenal. “What makes this so special is the personal dedication behind every story — whether that’s someone taking on their first marathon, celebrating a milestone birthday, running as a family or finding creative and fun ways to fundraise in their local community. “Our volunteer clinicians dedicate their own time to helping critically ill and injured patients across Essex, often in the most challenging circumstances imaginable. The support shown by our runners and fundraisers directly helps us continue that life-saving work.” The charity hopes the success of this year’s marathon team will encourage more people to consider taking on future fundraising challenges — with organisers keen to highlight that fundraising can be enjoyable, flexible and built around everyday activities and hobbies. The charity also has a handful of London Marathon Spaces left for 2027. You can apply here

When people talk about calling to mind the very spirit of prehospital medicine—commitment, sacrifice, and a relentless drive to help others - few stories compare to that of Dr Phil Brown. His route into BASICS (British Association for Immediate Care) wasn’t just unusual; it was extraordinary. It was a journey shaped by family, dedication, and an unwavering belief that he could - and should - make a difference outside hospital walls. From Environmental Health Officer to Emergency Doctor Long before he ever donned a stethoscope, Phil Brown was deeply embedded in another world of public service: environmental health. Rising to Principal Environmental Health Officer and earning an MSc and Chartered status, he had a stable, respected career. But one moment changed everything. The traumatic and poorly handled birth of his first child forced Phil to confront a difficult truth - he was in the wrong profession. He had joined St John Ambulance at 16 and never lost his fascination with medicine and the ambulance service. The spark had always been there; now it roared. And so, with two young children, a mortgage, and a supportive wife who believed in him wholeheartedly, Phil walked away from his comfortable career and into medical school at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine. It wasn’t the Caribbean elective and leisurely student life many enjoy - Phil spent his elective at Basildon Ambulance Station, riding out with crews, absorbing everything he could about frontline emergency care. If he was going to be a doctor, he was going to be a BASICS doctor. Born for BASICS From his very first day of full GMC registration in 1999, Phil became operational with the North East Essex Doctors Emergency Service (NEEDES). While most new doctors cautiously find their footing, Phil jumped straight into prehospital care. Within two years he was Chair of the charity - a position he held for a decade. His commitment wasn’t just professional; it was woven into his family life. Phil often responded from his own fully equipped, marked-up car - frequently with his wife Carole and daughter Emily sitting patiently in the passenger seats. They waited through stabbings, road traffic collisions, and countless emergencies. Emily remembers many vividly, including the family’s first shout - straight from a child’s birthday party to a fatal RTC at the Army and Navy roundabout. Even trips to Tesco became potential emergency deployments. Trolleys of shopping would be thrown atop medical kit before tearing off to a call. Firefighters, with trademark good humour, regularly unloaded the shopping while Phil assessed scenes. “BASICS has always been a family thing,” Phil says - and it’s true. For years, Emily volunteered as the paediatric patient in Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) courses taught by Phil, while Carole served as course administrator. Today, Emily is a senior officer with the East of England Ambulance Service - proof that Phil’s passion didn’t just shape his own life, but his family’s future too. Leading Through Change Phil is not just a clinician; he is a builder, a reformer, and a protector of the organisations he serves. When NEEDES faced collapse in 2009, it was Phil who restructured the charity and kept it alive. When the Essex BASICS landscape evolved, he led the merger that created BASICS Essex, becoming its longstanding Medical Director. His influence expanded beyond the charity sector. Phil became a GP with special interest in emergency and unscheduled care, clinical lead for out-of-hours services, an Associate Specialist - and later locum Consultant - in Emergency Medicine at Colchester General Hospital, and Associate Medical Director for the East of England Ambulance Service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when medication prevented him from performing face-to-face work, he stepped forward to serve in the Ambulance Service control room. There, he helped triage the region’s sickest patients, supported crews on scene, and later took on leadership of the region’s frequent and complex callers. Pioneering Prehospital Medicine Phil’s prehospital achievements read like a timeline of modern BASICS development: First doctor to fly on the Essex Air Ambulance , undertaking more than 75 missions voluntarily. Major incident response training , qualifying as both strategic and tactical medical commander. Participation in numerous exercises including at Stansted Airport , and triaging casualties from the First Gulf War . On-call rota for aircraft hijackings  at Stansted - often involving long, uneventful days taken as unpaid leave. Dozens of courses taught and directed in general practice, emergency medicine, and prehospital care. All of it unpaid. All of it fuelled by passion. A Career Recognised Phil’s work has not gone unnoticed. Among his many honours: Lifetime Achievement Award (2024)  from BASICS UK Fellowship of the Royal College of General Practitioners The Queen’s Golden, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilee Medals The King’s Coronation Medal St John Ambulance Long Service Medal In 2025, he became the 251st President of the historic Colchester Medical Society. A full-circle moment for a man whose path was anything but traditional. Winding Down - But Never Stopping Today, Phil describes himself as “mostly retired,” though the description barely fits. He continues to serve as a trustee for BASICS Essex, works part-time as Associate Medical Director for EEAST, and still responds as a BASICS doctor - though he admits he’s unsure for how much longer. After a lifetime on call, Phil is looking forward to more time in Cyprus, more quiet countryside days, and well-earned rest. But even as he steps back from frontline work, the legacy he leaves is enormous. Thousands of patients have been touched by his actions. Hundreds of clinicians have been shaped by his teaching. Entire services have been strengthened by his leadership. And all of it began with one brave decision: to walk away from a good job because he believed he could do more.

Contact us for volunteering opportunities, corporate sponsorships, trusts, grants or general enquiries. Email: office@basicsessex.org.uk. By Post: BASICS Essex, Moulsham Mill, Parkway, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 7PX Contact Us First name* Last name Company name Email* Phone Write a message Submit Gift Aid Declaration Form Get in touch with us through contact form, or using the details below: General Enquiries, Volunteering & Corporate Sponsorship: kim.turner@basicsessex.org.uk / 07557 258875 Trusts, Grants & Foundation: lisa.thomas@basicsessex.org.uk / 07910 018874 Sponsor a Clinician: belinda.Hunt@basicsessex.org.uk / 07904903886 London Marathon: office@basicsessex.org.uk Recruitment: office@basicsessex.org.uk Aftercare: aftercare@basicsessex.org.uk IT & Web: web@basicsessex.org.uk Postal address: BASICS Essex, Unit 10, Office 1, Highlands Farm, Rettendon, Chelmsford, CM3 8EB

As a small emegency medical charity, your donation will enable us to respond to more critical incidents across Essex, providing enhanced pre-hospital care to patients and help save lives across Essex. We do not receive any statutory funding and therefore rely solely upon grants and donations. BASICS Essex Wellbeing At BASICS Essex, we take wellbeing extremely seriously. We are committed to supporting our patients and wider community by directing them to the most appropriate services, recognising the profound impact that serious incidents can have on individuals and their families. PATIENT AFTERCARE If you have received treatment from a member of BASICS Essex or witnessed an incident, we are keen to support you and find out more about your experience. Email us in confidence on aftercare@basicsessex.org.uk . SUPPORT SERVICES If you’ve witnessed CPR, experienced a cardiac arrest, or been affected by a suicide, please know that support is available for you and those around you. responsible drinking If someone is unwell or unsafe due to alcohol, call 999 or NHS 111. Alcohol affects your judgement, coordination, and reaction time long before you “feel drunk”. Drinking too much increases the risk of accidents, injuries, poor mental health, and long‑term health problems. Even small amounts can make driving unsafe - there’s no safe level of alcohol when you’re behind the wheel. Key risks to be aware of: Slower reactions and poor decision‑making Higher chance of falls, fights, and accidents Impact on sleep, mood, and anxiety Drink driving: even one drink can put you over the limit the next morning Greater long‑term risk of heart disease, liver disease, and cancer Safer drinking tips: Set a limit before you start Alternate alcoholic drinks with water Eat before and during drinking Plan a safe way home - never drive after drinking Have alcohol‑free days each week Need support? Free, confidential help is available in Essex: Open Road Essex Wellbeing Service NHS Alcohol Advice

WHAT WE DO BASICS Essex , formerly known as BASICS Essex Accident Rescue Service or B.E.A.R.S , is a charity made up of volunteer doctors and paramedics who respond to incidents at the request of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust. We help save lives in communities across Essex and can be at your side in minutes, day or night. We're proud to supplement the outstanding service provided by our ambulance clinicians. We receive no government funding and rely solely upon your donations. Our committed volunteer doctors and paramedics make themselves available around the clock throughout the year. They are often first on the scene, be it at the roadside, in a field, or a home emergency. We have operated in Essex since 1973. Our qualified and experienced doctors and paramedics respond from home, or as part of a medical response team, in the schemes own Enhanced Care Car. The doctors and paramedics are able to provide additional treatment on the scene, like providing enhanced pain relief or emergency surgical interventions where required. With calls increasing BASICS Essex needs your support. You can help save more lives in your local area. Support us today and help us to continue to provide our vital lifesaving service to your local community. Ways to Donate Meet the Team