Remarkable roles: First on the scene

Surrounded by stunning scenic views, it is not difficult to see why Skipton wears with pride the ‘gateway to the Yorkshire Dales’ name badge. However, its picturesque setting does not always mean the market town is an ideal location. As a result of the rural landscape, the closest hospital is a critical 14 miles away in Bradford and it can often take more than an hour for emergency services to reach an incident. The ambulance service increasingly relies on the support of volunteers like 46-year-old Justine Sturtivant to help serve the community. While working full time as a retail director at Specsavers’ Skipton store, Sturtivant lends her free time to Yorkshire Ambulance Service as a community first responder.