20th Year Celebrations! 

Mark Halliday (Chairman) said, "Can I just start by saying it's a real pleasure to celebrate a truly remarkable milestone, 20 years of Penicuik Community First Responders.

• Twenty years of commitment.
• Twenty years of teamwork.
• And twenty years of making a difference when it matters most.

When this group first started back in 2005, few could have imagined just how vital and enduring it would become. What began as a small team of volunteers, driven simply by a desire to help their community, has grown into a well-respected, self-funded organisation that has supported thousands of people and their families in their moments of greatest need.

Each one of our responders represents the very best of community spirit. They all give their time freely, often stepping away from family dinners, warm beds, and busy schedules, to attend emergencies and offer reassurance, care, and compassion. Their professionalism and calm presence have saved lives, comforted loved ones, and strengthened the bond between our community and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

What makes this even more remarkable is that Penicuik CFRs have achieved all this without external funding. Through sheer determination, local fundraising, and the ongoing generosity of the people and businesses of Penicuik, this group has remained sustainable, equipped, and ready to respond for the past two decades.

Of course, none of it would be possible without the continued support of the Scottish Ambulance Service, who've been with us since the very start, guiding, supporting, and working alongside our responders to make sure we can give the very best care possible.

We're not just about looking back, though. It's about looking forward. It's about celebrating the foundation that's been built, the friendships formed, and the legacy that will continue to inspire the next generation of responders, as well as our continued support of the local community.

To everyone who has played a part, past and present responders, committee members, supporters, families, and partners in the Scottish Ambulance Service, thank you. Your contribution has made Penicuik a safer, stronger, and more caring community.

Lets look forward to the future, let's do so with pride, gratitude, and a shared commitment, here's to another twenty years of service, compassion, and continued community spirt."