Life-saving equipment has been installed in a popular tourist village in South Ayrshire.
Rotary in Alloway has fundraised the £1,400 needed for a public defibrillator machine which now sits on the wall of the village’s pharmacy, at 21 Alloway, and will be available 24/7.
Project leader John Thompson said the equipment came at an appropriate time as life-saving CPR training and skills were being circulated across media outlets following the collapse of Danish footballer Christian Eriksen during the European Championships.
Midfielder Eriksen, 29, suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during his team’s match against Finland last month and has fortunately made a full recovery.
John said: “Just as we had the defib delivered, there was publicity about the Danish footballer who collapsed while he was playing.
“I just think it’s good timing and there’s a government move to have these machines installed in local places.
“The unit is not just available to local residents but to holiday makers, or somebody driving passed who becomes unwell.
“It’s a ‘community resource’ – it’s for everybody, it’s public and available 24/7.
“We hope it’ll never be used – that’s a funny thing to say when we’ve spent £1,400 but we do hope nobody ever needs it."
John brought the project to fruition thanks to help from Sheenah Nelson, Heartstart coordinator for Rotary in Helensburgh & Garelochside, who has been involved in securing 206 defibrillators throughout Scotland.
The club secured funds via their St Andrew's night last year and January's Burns Supper, as well as local donations.
John said: “I put it to the club last year and we thought it was a good idea to start raising funds.
“I’m not saying it was easy raising the money but people thought, ‘oh, that’s a good thing’.
“Somebody walked by my house one night and I spoke to him about it and he said, ‘If that’s going in the local area then we’re happy to contribute – I’m going to go home and donate’, which he did.
“We thought the key place was the pharmacy because it matches what they’re about in a pharmacy.
“The owner of the pharmacy has recently done her CPR training. The landlord thought it was a great thing and gave his approval immediately, likewise the local authority.”
Susan Baillie, proprietor of Alloway Pharmacy, has agreed to organise local CPR training and instruction for the use of the defib with local traders and schools in due course.
Ongoing costs for the insurance, inspecting and maintenance of the unit will be required and those wishing to help towards this are asked to get in touch via the club’s website.
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