A SALINE voluntary emergency services team is one of three West Fife community groups nominated for this year’s Bank of Scotland Community Fund.

Saline First Responders, Aberlour Childcare Trust, based at Lochwood Park, Kingseat, and Dalgety Bay Primary School are all in with a chance of receiving £500-£3000 depending if and where they are placed.

Votes are now open for the fund, which aims to help local people have a positive impact in their community. The three West Fife community groups are among 12 others shortlisted across Fife.

Saline First Responders give up their own time to enhance the Scottish Ambulance Services’ ability to respond quickly to 999 calls in the area. The award would enable them to buy two more fully-equipped emergency kit bags.

Hilary Warnock (52), of Oakley Road, Saline, is the team co-ordinator, trainer and responder.

She said, “There are about nine active first responders in Saline. The Scottish Ambulance Services started it up to lessen the call-out time.

“We are normally the first ones on the scene during a 999. We have had many calls over the years since it was formed in 2011 – so many I couldn’t count. All the cases are life-threatening because they are 999 calls – so the cases we attend are serious.

“We are looking at getting more PADs (Public Access Defibrillators) so that members of the public can use them in different areas along with the instructions in the box. So far, the PADs are in Townhill, opposite Queen Anne High School, and we are looking at getting one at Saline Golf Club.

“They are great because anyone can use them.” Aberlour Childcare Trust provides respite care for children and young people with disabilities. Their ‘Growing Together’ garden allows the community group to work together and host garden therapy sessions – the award would allow them to purchase essential materials for the project.

If successful the funds would help Dalgety Bay Primary School rejuvenate their quadrangle area, supporting children and teaching them business skills by looking after a garden and chickens.

Votes for Community Fund 2014 can be cast using SMS by texting VOTE and the community group code to 82332 in Scotland. To vote for Saline First Responders text VOTE GPC to 82332, to vote for Dalgety Bay Primary School text VOTE GPV to 82332 and to vote for Aberlour Childcare Trust text VOTE GNN to 82332.