A LIFE-SAVING defibrillator will soon be on hand in Church Lawford.
The device will be for community use in the village, including its 400 residents, customers at The Old Smithy pub, and visitors to the village hall.
In cases of cardiac arrest, prompt action using a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death. Research shows shock treatment using a defibrillator within the first three minutes of cardiac arrest gives the best chance of survival.
With every minute after that passes, the chance of survival reduces significantly.
The idea for the community defibrillator came from Coun Sally Bragg, a parish councillor in Church Lawford and current Rugby mayor.
After raising much of the £2,438 cost from Warwickshire’s County Councillor Fund and the Church Lawford village fete committee, Coun Bragg applied for the remaining £550 from The Heart of England Co-operative Society’s Helping Hearts Awards Scheme.
The device is expected to arrive within a few weeks.
It will be kept on the outside of the village hall and all residents will be offered the chance to take part in a free training session.
Coun Bragg said: “I was delighted to learn our bid had been successful as this defibrillator really could mean the difference between life and death. Our village has an ageing population and we never know when we might need to use the device.
“In cases of emergency every second counts so instead of waiting for an ambulance to arrive we will now be able to apply life-saving treatment while the ambulance is en route.”
Coun Bragg has already trained to use the device in her role as borough councillor.
All five parish councillors will also undergo training and the session will be open to all other residents wishing to learn.
Further information will be available in the village newsletter.
* A £24,000 funding boost from the Co-op has helped 14 community groups in Rugby.
When a Co-op member buys own-brand products from food stores or a funeral plan or funeral from Funeralcare they receive a five per cent reward for themselves with a further one per cent going to local good causes. All those one per cent rewards, plus the proceeds of the carrier bag charge in England, has resulted in the £24,000 pay out in Rugby. Nationally, 4,000 good causes are sharing a total pot of £9million.
Good causes set to benefit include Hoskyn Fund for the Disabled and Hope 4 Rugby.
