A local company who produce training manikins have donated equipment to fire and rescue and ambulance crews at the new Ambulance and Fire Services Resource Centre (AFSRC) in Wrexham.

Ruth Lee Ltd, based at a small workshop in Corwen, have been producing training manikins for over 25 years. The family run business was started after Ruth was approached by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, who enquired about the possibility of making cloth manikins to use as training aids for fire crews. The manikins were very well received, and soon North Wales Fire and Rescue Service started ordering items from the local firm.

Today, Ruth still works with the business but they also employ 21 other people and export to countries such as Australia, America and Canada.

They have donated equipment worth over £2000 to staff at the AFSRC, including mannequins and a sound box which creates sound effects to be used in a training situation.

Ruth’s daughter Susan Edwards, Operations Director, explained why they wanted to make the donation: “We’ve worked with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service for a number of years and were very excited to hear about this new development with crews from the fire and rescue service and The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust working alongside each other out of one building,” she said.

“We’re thrilled that we can make this donation to aid crews with their training, helping to keep our local communities as safe as possible.”

Kevin Roberts, Senior Operations Manager for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We’d like to thank Ruth Lee Ltd for their kind donation which will used by staff from both organisations in joint training scenarios and exercises.

“It’s great to see external organisations recognising the importance of partnership working, sharing resources and joint training to give the highest level of service possible for our communities.”

Karl Hughes, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Locality Manager for Flintshire and Wrexham, added: “We’re really grateful to Ruth Lee Ltd for the donation, which will enable our crews to maintain professional  techniques and provide the highest possible care to our patients, 24 hours a day, in any situation.

“Sharing this valuable resource with our fire service colleagues is another great way in which we’re strengthening the relationship and improving the service we provide to people in Wrexham and the surrounding area.”