Every Second Counts

Potters Resorts Launches Life-Saving Fundraising Campaign for NARS and BASICS Essex

Whether you’ve been to Potters once or fifty times, you’ll know how important people are to us. From our friendly teams to our loyal guests, we’re proud of the close-knit community that’s grown around our two resorts at Hopton-on-Sea and Five Lakes.

Now, for the first time, our resorts are coming together to support a joint charitable mission with the power to make a life-saving difference.

The cause

This year, we’re launching a major new fundraising initiative in support of two volunteer-led charities that play a vital role in delivering critical care when it’s needed most.

One of those charities is NARS (Norfolk Accident Rescue Service) who have been a long-term beneficiary of the Potters Friends Foundation—our community interest company founded in memory of Brian Potter MBE.

NARS bought their initial Community First Responders vehicle following a donation from Potters in 2018

While many of our guests are familiar with NARS after the success of Jack’s Drive to Save Lives in 2024, this new initiative marks a significant step forward.

Because NARS form part of the wider BASICS (British Association for Immediate Care) network—a national group of specially trained doctors and paramedics who attend life-threatening emergencies in their communities, often arriving before an ambulance crew.

And now, by pairing our support of NARS in Norfolk with Essex’s branch of BASICS, we’re ensuring our mission to save lives resonates across both of our resorts’ communities.

BASICS Essex Doctors Richard Booker and Keiran Campbell with Five Lakes General Manager Oli Smith and Head of Entertainment Dan Jones

Why It Matters

These incredible volunteers provide advanced medical care in challenging environments—from roadside collisions to cardiac arrests—and do it all without financial compensation. They give their time, expertise and dedication for free.

Furthermore, unlike larger emergency services, the service that NARS and BASICS provide is entirely reliant on donations. From the cars themselves to the life-saving equipment they carry, our support can be the difference between a volunteer arriving at the scene fully equipped and ready for every scenario, or not at all. For patients especially in rural or remote areas, that difference can be a matter of life or death—every second counts.

NARS at Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea, with the first response vehicle donated via the Jack’s Drive to Save Lives campaign.

The objective

Thanks to the generosity of our guests and team, we’ve already been able to provide two first responder cars for the heroes at NARS since 2018. But equipment is just as important—and it doesn’t come cheap.

So our target is simple. Raise £50,000, and fund everything these amazing volunteers at both NARS and BASICS need to continue carrying out their life-saving work.

How we’ll do it

As we bring the campaign to life, you’ll see how your generosity is directly helping to put life-saving tools into the hands of those who need them.

As well as supporting our prize tombolas at Hopton-on-Sea and now Five Lakes too, you can simply join in the fun at a lunchtime special knowing that every penny you donate will go to these two amazing charities.

You can win a Boo on the tombola or get involved at a lunchtime special, knowing that you’re making a difference

But be sure to keep an eye on our social channels and blog, as our amazing team and wonderful guests get involved in the months ahead!

We’ll be keeping track of key milestones to highlight what equipment you’ve funded so far, while meeting some of the first responders in person too, bringing their story—and the stories of those they’ve saved—to life.

So let’s come together and help those who help us.

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To learn more about the incredible work of these two charities, visit nars.org.uk and basicsessex.org.uk.