With the purchase and installation of two defibrillators in Midsomer Norton, one at the ‘top’ end of the High Street on the wall of Welton Rovers’ clubhouse at West Clewes and another at the ‘bottom’ end of the High Street on the wall of Barons Estate Agents, opposite the Town Hall, therapists from the Positive Living Centre decided that another life-saving piece of equipment would be of use for the centre of the town, in case of emergencies.
Therapists and clients began fundraising for the new defibrillator, with local artist, Josie White, supporting the effort by donating a framed painting as first prize at the launch event and a grand total of £470 later being achieved. Mark Ashman, from Mallards pub, joined the effort by asking his clients to donate on August Bank Holiday Monday, raising a further £100. Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club also offered support to the community initiative, donating the final £300 needed to purchase the defibrillator.
Rather than being housed in a cabinet, which was at further cost, Positive Living therapists and Mallards’ Manager, Liam Paterson, who is a member of the St John Ambulance, have been working together since early December, enabling the defibrillator to be kept at Positive Living during the working week and from Friday evening it is kept at Mallards.
Tina Pascal, from the Positive Living Centre said: “I am really proud of the therapists here, who thought of this initiative, worked hard to support the fundraising for this fantastic resource for the High Street and will go out with the defibrillator when needed.
“It would be really great if other defibrillators were available locally, as there is such a short time available to be able to help someone if this is needed.”
The Positive Living Centre can be found directly to the right of Mallards pub with a gate leading to the Centre’s garden. If the defibrillator was ever needed, once switched on, the machine uses visual or voice prompts to guide the user. An ambulance should always be called first, but using a defibrillator in the minutes it takes for the crew to arrive can improve the survival rate. The fundraisers have also purchased some pads which can be used on children if necessary, from one-year-old upwards.
Speaking about the new defibrillator, Midsomer Norton Mayor, Paul Myers, added: “This additional life-saving equipment is so welcome in Midsomer Norton. It will provide the town centre with a third unit located between those at Barons and West Clewes Recreation Ground, which the Town Council put in place in 2013 and 2014. The speed with which these can be deployed to any incident in the town means that vital minutes can be saved, which are so often critical to anyone surviving a heart attack before an ambulance can reach them.”