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BASICS DEVON APPOINTED DEVON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION'S (DCAA) CHARITY OF THE YEAR

The Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA) is delighted to announce that

BASICS Devon has been appointed as its Charity of the Year.

BASICS Devon Volunteer Responders - Left to right - Dr Alex Rowe, Dr Simon Scott-Hayward, Dr Ian Higginson, Dr David Hillebrandt, Glenda Cooper, Dr Marc Epps, Dr Fred Declerck, Dr Tom Owens
BASICS Devon Volunteer Responders - Left to right - Dr Alex Rowe, Dr Simon Scott-Hayward, Dr Ian Higginson, Dr David Hillebrandt, Glenda Cooper, Dr Marc Epps, Dr Fred Declerck, Dr Tom Owens

BASICS Devon are specialist volunteers delivering emergency pre-hospital care and

vital life-saving education. They support communities across Devon with advanced

medical treatment around the clock before patients reach hospital.


Comprised of highly trained volunteer medics, BASICS Devon responds to some of

the most serious medical emergencies supporting the South Western Ambulance

Service NHS Foundation Trust. From road traffic collisions on rural lanes to cardiac

arrests in remote villages, the charity’s clinicians bring immediate care directly to the

scene — often arriving before an ambulance. This year so far, the team has

responded swiftly to 361 emergencies — 120 of them at night — arriving first on

scene in 40% of incidents


Each year, the Devon County Agricultural Association selects one charity to support

for a full year. Out of several bids received, the final decision is made by the

President Elect. This year, John Lee OBE FRAgS cast the deciding vote.


John commented on the appointment: “BASICS Devon is doing such incredible work

across the County of Devon, helping save lives, in particular, in rural communities.  I

am delighted their outstanding work has just been recognised with The King’s Award

for Voluntary Service, a fitting tribute to their commitment and dedication, and an

accolade also bestowed upon the Devon County Agricultural Association with The

Queen’s Award back in 2018.  We’re looking forward to a truly productive partnership

in 2026.”


BASICS Devon Volunteer Responders & Rapid Response Vehicle - Left to right - Dr Tony Golding-Cook, Dr Simon Scott-Hayward, Dr Tom Owens
BASICS Devon Volunteer Responders & Rapid Response Vehicle - Left to right - Dr Tony Golding-Cook, Dr Simon Scott-Hayward, Dr Tom Owens

As part of the support programme, BASICS Devon will receive a complimentary

stand at the annual Devon County Show which takes place in 2026 at Westpoint,

Exeter from 21-23 May.  They will be the sole charity eligible for donations

throughout the event.


Amie Bull, Fundraising Manager at Basics Devon expressed her delight at the

appointment, commenting:


“We are honoured to be named the Association’s Charity of the Year. It’s an event

we’ve always hoped to be part of, and our voluntary committee is already planning

exciting ways for visitors to meet our amazing volunteers, explore our emergency

response vehicle, and learn vital life-saving skills. We can’t thank the Devon County

Show enough and are greatly looking forward to the year ahead.”


To find out more about Devon County Show 2026 and to book tickets,


For further information about BASICS Devon, visit www.basics-devon.org.uk 


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