Wymondham Lions Club has joined forces with Norfolk Police to spread the word about a campaign which could save the lives of people with medical conditions.
The Message in a Bottle initiative involves people writing down details of any illnesses, drug prescriptions and allergies on a piece of paper within a small bottle which is placed in their kitchen fridge.
If they become seriously ill at home and the emergency services are called, all the paramedic, fire fighter or policeman needs to do is open the container to find an instant medical history of the victim which could lead to quicker and more effective treatment. The bottle also comes with special stickers, which are stuck to the inside of a person's front door and on the door of their fridge, to alert members of the emergency services to its presence.
Wymondham Lions have donated 210 bottles for the scheme, which are free to collect from police stations in Bethel Street, Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Wymondham, North Walsham, Thetford and King's Lynn.
PC Gail Kevern, force crime prevention officer, said: 'The message in a bottle scheme gives the emergency services a single reference point for essential information within a household. Storing vital medical details in special bottles can help save lives.'
Jim Cawte, vice-governor of Lions Clubs East Anglia and member of Wymondham Lions Club, added: 'It's an absolutely wonderful idea. We know of many incidents where it has proved to be very effective.'
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