THE COMMUNITY has been praised after a Standard-backed campaign to put more defibrillators in Droitwich has seen the number of devices increase from none to seven in just a year.
That figure could increase to 13 by the end of 2017 as the Droitwich AED (Automated External Defibrillators) charity is in discussions with other groups and organisations to make more available.
Since the launch of the campaign last autumn, Community Public Access Defibrillators (CPADs) have been put in Droitwich Medical Centre, the Fire Station, Nicol and Co Estate Agents, Corbett Medical Practice, The Lido Cafe and the King George V sports pavilion.
The Droitwich AED, which is now a registered charity, is also in talks with Aldi and Tesco to put CPADs outside those supermarkets.
And the charity is working with Physique Fitness and Droitwich Spa Nursery and Kindergarten to fundraise to put CPADs outside their premises.
The Esso garage is also collecting cash to fund a defib for its premises.
Independently Droitwich Spa Tennis Club and the cricket club have also put CPADs on the outside of their clubhouses.
Droitwich AED is running free Basic Life Support (BLS) courses at Droitwich Medical Centre and one-day emergency first aid courses.
The next free BLS course and the next first aid course, which is £25 per person, will be on is on October 13 at Droitwich Fire Station.
Pete Richards, the chair of trustees at Droitwich AED, said: “I can’t believe how well it has gone and it is all thanks to the Droitwich community.
“A year ago Droitwich didn’t have any CPADs by the end of this calendar year we will have at least 13.
“In 12 months’ time we should hopefully have achieved our target of siting them about half a mile apart so that, in an emergency, nobody is more than a quarter of a mile away from one.
“At that spacing they should be close enough to be effective in saving lives.”
Anyone wanting to find out more about the campaign or donate to the cause can visit droitwich-aed.org.uk for further details.
Alternatively call Pete on 01905 796767 or 07957 214101 or email [email protected] for more.
