An East Ayrshire non-league football club has taken delivery of a life-saving defibrillator as part of a rollout.
West of Scotland League Premier Division big guns Auchinleck Talbot accepted one of the defibrillators thanks to a donation from local firms McConnell (Hugh LS McConnell Ltd) and Millar Electrics.
Representatives from the organisations met at Talbot’s social club for the handover.
Earlier this year, East Ayrshire Council launched a new initiative – bringing together contractors and communities – to provide defibrillators for community use.
And the rollout of the equipment has commenced; with the first of seven such partnerships being announced.
The initiative aims to encourage contractors to donate life-saving equipment for distribution within the communities where they are undertaking work, as part of obligations to provide wider benefits during the life of their contract with the council.
Ground safety officer Campbell Peden said: “Auchinleck Talbot Football Club would like to thank East Ayrshire Council, McConnell and Millar Electrics for the donation and installation of our community defibrillator.
“We accept this vital piece of life-saving equipment on behalf of our local community.”
Tracy McKellar, bid manager with McConnell, said: “McConnell has a strong history in Ayrshire as our head office is based in Kilmarnock, so we are delighted to be supporting East Ayrshire Council in this defibrillator appeal.
“The defibrillator appeal is a fantastic concept, and it is our pleasure to participate in such a great initiative.
“Providing this life-saving equipment and associated security box to Auchlinleck Talbot Football Club to help save lives is an honour.”
David Doran, health and safety manager at the council said: “It’s great to see this initiative between ourselves and procurement coming to fruition. This installation will benefit the community of Auchinleck.
“We want to make East Ayrshire a defibrillator council within the next five years by installing community access equipment in as many prominent locations as possible across the authority.”
Applications are welcomed from any community groups and clubs based in East Ayrshire who would like to benefit from the equipment.
Further details on how the initiative works and how to apply can be found on the East Ayrshire Council wellbeing website which includes a full list of locations of current defibrillators in the region.
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