TWO LIFE-SAVING defibrillators have been installed at Saddleworth School in Uppermill for community use thanks to the fundraising efforts of the caring kitchen staff.
The team of four – Pam Morris, Ashleigh Chastney, Lauren Kelly and Caroline Vongeyer – have raised around £1,500 for the new equipment and cases.
One automated external defibrillator will be located in the school reception and another in the PE department, where they will be accessible to staff, pupils and the public who use the school.
With voice prompts to guide the user, the equipment delivers an electric shock to a person’s heart in cardiac arrest to improve their chances of survival while waiting for an ambulance.
The fundraisers explained: “We were told on a first aid training course in January that there should be at least one defibrillator in every school – but we didn’t have one.
“We decided we needed to change that so we started raising money. We had a ‘Hearts For Hearts’ biscuits and cupcakes sale for Valentine’s Day, sold cakes for Comic Relief and then ‘Bunnies for Monies’ at Easter.
“We were aiming to just get one defibrillator but we’re so pleased we’ve got enough money for two. They are so important to help save lives.”
The defibrillators are kept in cabinets, which have been provided by the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) as they help to install more of the equipment across the region.
Acting school nurse Kat Watson liaised with paramedic Steve Nicholls, Community Resuscitation Development Officer for the NWAS, to arrange the purchase and staff training.
And Steve also visited the school to give CPR training to the year nine and ten pupils and to explain more about cardiac arrest and the defibrillators.
He said: “This is quite a new programme and I believe Saddleworth School is the first in the area to do the training. I want this to be part of the curriculum eventually.
“It will complement the first aid training carried out by Oldham Heart Start in primary and secondary schools across the borough.
“If someone suffers a heart attack and 200 people around them know what to do instead of finding one person who’s on the other side of the school, then there is a much better chance of survival.
“Initiatives like these women have done to raise the money for the defibs are great for the community and I hope more people do the same.
“Because of where Saddleworth is geographically, it can be difficult to get ambulances here quickly so the defibs can be vital.”
Saddleworth Parish councillor Alan Roughley is working with the North West Ambulance Service and local community groups to install ten defibrillators in key outside public places.
Along with Cllr Roughley, Cllrs Derek Heffernan, Garth Harkness and John McCann have pledged some of their ward funds towards the scheme.
And they are urging groups and businesses to help them by contributing, fundraising or offering a potential site for a defibrillator.
Anyone who wishes to contribute or has a potential site can contact Alan Roughley on 01457 870074 or email alanroughley@talktalk.net
To contact Steve for more information about the NWAS’s initiative, ring 07812 303 974 or email steven.nicholls@nwas.nhs.uk
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