I went to a Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting organised by our PCSOs in May. They had been on a Heart Start course, run by the ambulance service Community First Responders. This gave up to date life saving training. However, they said what would really make a difference was a community defibrillator. These are kept in an easily accessible public area and can be used 24/7/365. They are housed in robust cases that are usually locked with a key pad. When 999 is called following a person having a sudden cardiac arrest, the emergency service operator will tell the caller where their nearest cPAD is and give them the access code. The catch? Well they cost £1750 per unit, plus installation costs of £150 and upkeep costs. The idea was only mentioned in passing, but hey, this is Tottington, and we can do anything we put our minds to!
I went home and did a bit of research. When a person suffers sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) action is needed quickly. While waiting for an ambulance cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) must be given. Statistics suggest that survival changes after a SCA with just CPR is around 5%. By using a defibrillator quickly survival chances can increase to around 50%. The defibrillators that are used are extremely easy to use. As soon as the defib is opened it 'speaks' instructions, so it can be used with no training. There are schemes to increase awareness, and good first aid training can be arranged, so that local communities can be confident if the defib needed to be used.
Tottington village is quite busy. We have 3 pubs in the centre, 2 restaurants, a take away, a cafe bar, 3 churches and various shops and hairdressers etc. There are also lots of shops etc in the District of Tottington, which covers quite an area. SCA can happen in people of all ages at any time. I decided a cPAD was just what was needed and let Twitter know.
Within a few minutes I'd had a response from a business owner in the village who was sure other businesses would support the idea. Within a few hours we had decided the idea was do able, and we could have a fund raising activity at Tottington's Music in the Park to launch the appeal. I had it in my mind that this was in September, and when I found out it was actually on 1 July I nearly needed a cPAD myself. Another business owner was 'recruited' to be involved and she hasn't stopped since either.
I hand delivered letters to all businesses in the area asking for support in the way of raffle prizes. Response was great, with people donating prizes and vouchers, all to be used locally. We also received some donations from businesses who couldn't really give a prize. We had one business have a Dress Down Friday and donated the proceeds. It was an incredibly busy time, and in between I was in regular contact with a charity set up to promote the provision of life saving defibrillation equipment, to find make sure we were 'doing things right'. A local graphic designer designed us some flyers to promote the appeal, and the local newspaper, The Bury Times, also gave us some great publicity.
Sunday 1 July 2012 was one of the rainiest days of the year. Setting up stalls in the morning was horrendous and we were all soaked ages before the event started. We had a great display though, and it really helped having an actual defibrillator and storage box to show people exactly what we wanted to buy. We had some people that couldn't believe they could use the equipment, but we also had a training defib to demonstrate how easy it was to use. Tottington's Music in the Park usually attracts thousands of people but due to the weather it was a lot quieter than usual. The stall was kept busy with people coming to have a look though, and by the end of the day we had over £400 raised for our appeal. Only another £1350 to go....
Next, we put collection boxes in local shops. The local Knit and Natter group said they would make a weekly donation, and villagers were very supportive. Our MP, who lives in Tottington, has given his support. We got together a committee and arranged to meet to discuss future fundraising. However, the initial publicity had done us great favours.
The Freemasons approached us. They have a community fund for schemes where the whole community can benefit. I had to put together all the background information and cost information and application for a grant was submitted. It was a very formal nailbiting few weeks, but on 11 September 2012 we went along to the lodge to collect a cheque for £3120!
Unfortunately one of our collection boxes was stolen during a break in at our local Coop. Luckily, we had emptied it very soon before so there can't have been too much in. We were still chunnering from this when we received an email from a company in the UK that manufacture the type of defibrillators used in the community. They offered to give us one of their defibs! Arrangements were made for someone from HeartSine,the company, to fly in from Belfast and come to Tottington on Friday 14 September to make the presentation. This was a top of the piece of equipment that was quite pricey. When John McMurty from HeartSine found out about the appeal he also said he would donate a training defibrillator. This is a 'dummy' unit and it arrived this week. It shows people exactly what the equipment does and how to use it. It should hopefully assure people that they are easy to use.
We were approached by Peel Lions who said they would like to hold one of their Race Nights to raise money for our appeal. That event was on Saturday 22 September and was held at St Anne's Parish Hall. This isn't just any church hall. It has been recently refurbished, and there was a bar (well, we couldn't have a race night without one!). It was a great family fun event and it raised a whopping £1067.
There has been some negativity about the scheme, and I have been surprised at some of the people who have been less that enthusiastic. However, this is a fairly new idea and I'm sure that before too long there will be lots of other defibrillators appearing in the area. They are all over in France in different areas, so there is no reason they shouldn't catch on here too. They do need maintaining, and I know I'll have to do weekly or fortnightly checks, but this can be done when I'm passing them.
I will be so pleased when the first one is officially up and running, and the people of Tottington have mainly had a great 'can do' attitude. Thank you for supporting the appeal!
