Members of All Saints Church in Wrington are on course to provide life-saving equipment in the village thanks to a generous fundraising campaign. They are raising money to buy a Community Defibrillator for the village close to the church. A team of 46 volunteers has already received training in how to use a defibrillator and administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Community Defibrillators are placed in public areas such as leisure centres, schools and shopping centres to allow trained volunteers and Community First Responders to attend to a cardiac arrest before an ambulance can arrive.
The team at All Saints began to think about offering this after an elderly man became unwell in church. Understanding how important this kind of training and equipment can be in saving someone’s life, Sue Lamburne, a trained nurse, and member of All Saints, set about organising training and, following the success of the training, she began fund raising for a defibrillator. “It’s phenomenal. I think it shows the care and compassion of the church community. It doesn't matter what somebody's age or background is, anyone at any time may need help in this way. Likewise, anyone can give care in this way. What we’ve achieved epitomises really good giving and good care.”
Sue was surprised by the response to the offer of CPR training. In all 46 people came forward to volunteer. “The response was brilliant We advertised it through local organisations and shared it with WhatsApp groups in the village.”
Time is critical when someone suffers a cardiac arrest, research has shown that the chances of surviving diminish by ten percent every minute without treatment. There are defibrillators in the Wrington, but there isn’t one in the area of the village where the church is. So, Sue set about investigating how she could get one installed. A meeting with the village agent pointed her in the direction of the government defibrillator grant.
The government is seeking to increase the number of external defibrillators and the Department of Health and Social Care is currently running a £1 million match funded Community Automated External Defibrillators Fund aimed at increasing the number of AEDs in public places where they are most needed and to help save lives.
Sue says, “The response has been amazing. We’ve now got the outstanding balance down to £350 and we’ve got more fundraising activities planned. We’re well on our way. The community have really got behind us.” If you would like more information about getting a defibrillator in your area do get in touch with Sue via email s.lamburne321@btinternet.com