An Isle of Wight theatre group is celebrating a huge milestone in its efforts towards supplying the Island with lifesaving defibrillators.
The Wight Strollers have a long history of donating the crucial pieces of equipment to the Island - with the latest defibrillator being the tenth given by the group to the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service.
The National Trust at Newtown National Nature Reserve is now the proud new guardians of the Public Access Defibrillator (PAD), which has now been installed on the side of the National Trust building at Newtown National Nature Reserve.
Sarah Scotcher, Wight Strollers Founder Member/Director said:
“We were so thankful that we were able to perform our celebratory 40th pantomime in February this year, as it enabled our local community to benefit in many ways. We are extremely proud that we have now supplied the Island with a tenth public access defibrillator”.
The first three minutes of a cardiac arrest are time-critical. It’s vital that the public know how to; recognise cardiac arrest, perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and have a defibrillator publicly accessible to them in order to help save lives.
Louise Walker, Ambulance Education, Training & Engagement Lead said:
“We are so very privileged to have received a tenth Public Access Defibrillator donation from the Wight Strollers, their support and commitment to our service is truly humbling and we are extremely grateful indeed.
"The value of having a defibrillator on site must not be underestimated. The timely use in a cardiac arrest really can make difference.”
Kathryn Wilson, Visitor Operations Manager National Trust said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Wight Strollers for their generous donation to the IOW NHS Trust Ambulance service. Whilst we always hope that the defibrillator will not be needed, it’s reassuring to know that the presence of this equipment means we have a greater chance of saving lives at Newtown.”