Council scheme sees three more Ayrshire community groups benefit from defibrillator rollout

Three more Ayrshire community groups have taken delivery of potentially life-saving defibrillators.

Bonnyton Thistle Football Club, Muirkirk Community Council and Dalrymple, Hollybush and Skeldon Project met with their donor businesses as their defibrillator equipment was handed over.

The handouts are part of a partnership initiative between East Ayrshire Council and their local contractors.

The initiative, devised by the council’s health and safety service and procurement unit, aims to encourage contractors to donate life-saving equipment for distribution within the communities where they are undertaking work.

Unico and Life Environmental donated the equipment for Bonnyton Thistle Football Club.

And Rhodar donated the equipment to Dalyrmple, Hollybush and Skeldon Project, while CCG donated a defibrillator to Muirkirk Community Council.

Councillor Neal Ingram, cabinet member with responsibility for community safety, roads and transportation and community cohesion said: “This initiative is really gathering momentum and I’m extremely grateful to our contractors Unico, Life Environmental, Rhodar and CCG for their generous donations.

“These acts of kindness will genuinely help to save lives in our local communities and they showcase the real benefits of partnership working.

“These businesses are leading by example and they should be proud of the contributions they are making to our communities.”

Rhodar donated the equipment to Dalyrmple, Hollybush and Skeldon Project and Councillor Jennifer Hogg was on hand to receive it from Tony Conway (Rhodar), on behalf of the community project. Also pictured were Councillor Neal Ingram, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Safety, Roads and Transportation and Community Cohesion and local members Councillors Drew Filson and Elaine Stewart (Submitted/Ayrshire Post /)

Last month Auchinleck Talbot FC took delivery of a defibrillator in the first phase of the roll-out. Their defibrillator was donated by McConnell (Hugh LS McConnell Ltd).

As part of this initiative, local community organisations are also being offered training and support in the safe usage of the defibrillator equipment and how to do CPR.

More than 500 people have completed the training so far which is delivered by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the council’s events and resilience officer.

CCG donated the equipment for Muirkirk Community Council. Local members Councillors Linda Holland, Alyson Simmons and William Lennox are pictured as Chris Murray (CCG) handed over the device to David McLatchie from the Community Council (Submitted/Ayrshire Post /)

Some of those who have been involved include East Ayrshire Leisure Trust, Vibrant Communities, Spirit Apprentices, Freeflow Traffic Management, Mauchline Primary School, Kilmarnock Harriers, Galleon Leisure Centre, top level East Ayrshire football clubs, Dalrymple Doonfest Group members and Tivoli Contractors.

All attendees receive a certificate from SFRS following the training and the Council’s greener communities and housing asset services front line staff are next in line to be trained.

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