Community pulls together for new defib

Residents in Leek have teamed up to ensure that a life-saving piece of equipment remains available at a sports field’s pavilion.

The replacement automated external defibrillator (AED) has been recently put in place at Birchall Playing Fields.

The need to replace the former defibrillator, which had been installed in around 2015 by Leek Lads and Dads, was identified by Leek resident Dave Swarbrook who is now a volunteer with Stone-based defibrillator charity AEDdonate.

Dave said: “I was checking defibrillators in the area just before Christmas and became concerned that the Birchall defibrillator may have become ‘end-of-life.’

“I contacted specialists at AEDdonate and they confirmed that it needed to be replaced as soon as possible.

“I approached Dan Hyde, who had some funds remaining from an earlier defibrillator campaign and he was quickly on-board, he manages a Lads and Dads team who use Birchall every week so understood the need.

“Staffordshire Moorlands Athletics Club, who are also Birchall users, quickly joined in the campaign and I’m grateful to Adrian Northcott who helped with this.

“We still had a funding shortfall however, but thanks to a contribution from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, we managed to secure the monies needed to fully fund the replacement.”

Dave continued: “AEDdonate were able to speedily source a replacement defibrillator and cabinet, with their electrician, Martin even working his birthday to ensure that it was installed as soon as possible.

“With the Lockett family’s permission, we all decided to dedicate the defibrillator to James Lockett, a mutual friend and Leek legend who sadly passed away unexpectedly.”

The public access defibrillator, in its distinctive yellow cabinet, is now located on Birchall Pavillion, overlooking the playing fields.

Adrian Northcott, of Staffordshire Moorlands Athletics Club, said: “I was quite shocked to find out that so many people die each year from cardiac arrest when their lives could have been saved by a defibrillator and CPR.

“High profile incidences such as footballers Christian Eriksen and Fabrice Muamba have brought the issue to the forefront, but it can happen to anyone at any age and fitness, and we want to be assured that we are in a position to do everything we can to save a life if needed.”

Dave added: “Everyone has really pulled together to get the defibrillator replaced as soon as possible and I would like to personally thank everyone involved for their support.”

Jamie Richards, CEO of AEDdonate, said: “In the UK, over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are treated by emergency medical services every year.

“Approximately one in ten people will survive this event. The survival rate decreases minute by minute after sudden cardiac arrest, if a defibrillator is applied within three minutes, there is a 70 percent chance of survival. To improve this, defibrillators must be easily accessible throughout the country.

“Defibrillators are extremely easy to use, and they provide step-by-step instructions in either verbal or visual form. They can be operated by anyone, with no prior training required.”

To find out more about fundraising for a defibrillator through AEDdonate email: info@aeddonate.org.uk call 01785 472224 or visit: www.aeddonate.org.uk.