Message in a bottle to save lives

The white and green pots being promoted by the club are designed to help the emergency services when attending calls to people's homes.

Each sealed pot contains two green stickers and a medical form to be filled in by the owner.

Freddie, who has been a member of Bexhill Lions for five years, explains the scheme: "When someone calls in for an emergency, the services can go along and look for a green sticker on the inside of the front door.

"That tells them there will be another sticker on the outside of the fridge door, and inside the fridge is a green pot.

"The pot contains all the information on that person's medical history - from drugs being taken to doctor's details."

Other useful information recorded on the form includes contact details for next of kin, or friends to be notified in an emergency and even what provision is needed for any pets the particpant may have.

Over 200 of the pots have been taken from Little Common Surgery in the last six months, and the Lions are keen to expand the list of places you can find them.

Most surgeries and chemists in the town currently have a box or two on their counter, and Freddie is working on other local businesses such as hotels.

He has contacted all the Emergency Services and has their full support for the idea.

The pots are free to take. The cost is being met by local lions clubs across most of southern England as part of their Caring for the Communities remit, for which Freddie is a committee member. The organisation ultimately aims to develop the scheme nationally.

Freddie said: "I took this on because I felt it was such a great idea. My aim is to get this in as many places as I can, because it will benefit all the Emergency Services and will save lives.

"The next initiative is to set up a central point to help people fill in their forms."

Begun around 40 years ago, the Bexhill Lions are an organsation similar to the Rotary Club who use their talents and ability to help the underprivileged in the local community. For example, providing equipment for disabled people or helping fund respite for carers.

For more information on the scheme, or to get involved, contact Freddie on 212932.