Volunteer life-savers have received a boost following a donation from a Norfolk insurance broking firm.

Marsh in Norwich opened up its city centre staff car park in the five weekends before Christmas and raised more than £18,000 for Norfolk's community first responders.

The new Mulbarton CFR group was nominated by a member of staff to benefit from the annual Marsh charity car park scheme.

However, the money will go into a pot of money for all Norfolk CFRs after a grand total of £18,476.61 was raised.

Community first responders are trained by the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) to perform basic life support and attend 999 calls such as cardiac arrests, diabetes emergencies and people who are choking, having a seizure or suffering from breathing problems and chest pain.

Steve Hammond, EEAST Community Partnership Training Officer, said the money would go towards buying new life-saving kit.

'This is an incredible sum of money that will help to save lives across Norfolk and this is the biggest donation we have had for a long time.'

Alan Cross, chairman of the Marsh Norwich Sports and Social Club, added: '2015 was a special year for us as it was our 25th anniversary of running the charity car park. Since we opened our barriers for the first time in 1991, we've given local charities more than £250,000. The amount we raised for community first responders was the second largest amount in 25 years.

'It's good to know what a difference the money will make to CFR groups and the knock on effect that will have for the people in Norfolk.'

For more information about becoming a CFR, visit: www.eastamb.nhs.uk/get-involved/community-first-responders.htm or email responderadmin@eastamb.nhs.uk

Email your fundraising stories to emma.knights@archant.co.uk