by Alan Quick

A DEFIBRILLATOR for use if anyone has a Cardiac Arrest is now available for public use from the wall of the Council Offices in Market Street, Crediton.

The Crediton Town Council initiative to install the machine has been made possible thanks to funding from Crediton’s Tesco store, from the Devon County Council Locality Fund allocation from the County Councillor for Crediton, Cllr Nick Way, from Crediton Town Council and by kind permission of Mid Devon District Council, which owns the building.

The defibrillator has been funded at the location for four years and after that period will be funded by Crediton Town Council.

It has been provided by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and the Service will also be training Crediton Town Council staff, local business owners and workers, and individuals, in how to use the machine should the need arise.

The Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Frank Letch, thanked all those involved in making the provision of the defibrillator possible.

Cllr Way said he was pleased to be able to help with funding and said he had also helped fund defibrillators at Copplestone and Bow and one which is due to be installed at Yeoford.

Andrew Drayton, Community Champion at Crediton’s Tesco store, told the “Courier”: “I think that this is a fabulous community initiative and we are delighted that it has come to fruition.

“I would also like to mention and thank everyone from Lavish Life Car Club, especially Billy and Stacey Elder who helped with our first two Car Shows as money raised from these events was crucial in us being able to contribute to having the defibrillator installed.

“With the British Heart Foundation being one of our Charity Partners, Tesco recognise that heart disease is an issue in most communities throughout the country and to be able to support something as important as this in our town, indeed in the very centre of the town, has been very important to us.

“The position of the new defibrillator - with all of the great events that now happen in the Town Square - is perfect and I would urge as many people as possible go along to the ’learning’ sessions that are planned so that we have as many people as possible ready to use what could be a life-saving addition to the community."

Security of the defibrillator includes CCTV covering the Town Square and Market Street.

The postcode for the machine is EX17 2BN and the Call Sign if asked when dialing 999 is DC0327.

To release the defibrillator from its heated casing, push the red button.

The machine gives instructions of how to use it when it is in use.

For more information on CPR and defibrillator training, visit the website: www.swast.nhs.uk .