The defibrillator at St Margaret’s Church on The Oval was provided by local man Andrew Clare in response to his own heart scare.
Andrew’s life was saved by one of the machines in February last year, and as a result he began fund-raising to provide a defibrillator for his local community.
The 52-year-old said: “I’m delighted to say I reached my fund-raising target and in partnership with the church, a community defibrillator was installed and registered with the emergency services last month.
“Hopefully it will never be used but it gives the community peace of mind if it is ever needed.”
It is estimated there are around 30,000 cardiac arrests outside hospital settings every year, with defibrillators providing simple-to-use, self-explanatory help where it’s needed most.
They’re available 24 hours a day all year round, helping to save lives in the crucial moments after a cardiac arrest and before paramedics arrive at the scene.
Andrew’s fund-raising campaign was supported by local Kader ward Councillors Jim and Sharon Platt.
Councillor Platt said: “Andrew almost died and if it wasn't for a defibrillator he might well have done, so he really understands their value and the difference they can make.
“It’s a really worthy cause that has the potential to save lives, so we were only too happy to help with getting the defibrillator installed at St Margaret’s in support of the local community.”
• For the location of local defibrillators visit DefibFinder - find the defibrillators nearest you.
