Three water-based Burton organisations have joined forces to provide a publicly accessible Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).  Trent Rowing Club, Burton Sea Cadets and Burton Leander Rowing Club have teamed up with charity AEDdonate to fund the unit that has been installed on Burton Leander’s external wall.  The unit has also been registered with the local ambulance service making the unit accessible to the general public in emergency situations.

The project was instigated by Trent RC committee member Rebecca Warren.  When Rebecca’s father, Mr John Wright, passed away, the family generously requested donations to Trent RC in lieu of flowers, and it was agreed by the Club that the money should be put towards the provision of an AED.

The Club decided to join AEDdonate who have secured funding from Toyota Manufacturing Charitable Trust toward the provision of a number of AED units.  Trent RC then contacted neighbouring organisations Burton Sea Cadets and Burton Leander RC who were both keen to join the project.  Funding toward the project was also received from Stapenhill’s Mario’s HQ Hair & Beauty Salon, Allcar Garage Services, Keystone Lintels and Smart Roof and IG Masonry Support and IG Elements.

A representative from the Club said “Whilst it is hoped that the unit never needs to be deployed, the Club recognises that provision of publicly accessible AEDs is an important contribution to the Community, and we believe that we should support this community initiative.  The more AEDs that are installed, the greater the chance that one will be within a reachable distance should one ever be needed.”

Jamie Richards, Chief Executive of AEDdonate said “The chance of survival after Sudden Cardiac Arrest decreases minute by minute, but if someone is shocked with a defibrillator within 3 minutes their chance of survival increases by 70 %. Having an AED within a 1/2-mile radius from wherever you are I believe is a must. We would welcome further communities to get in touch to see if we can help.”

If anyone dials 999 to a patient who is in cardiac arrest in the area, the caller will be advised on the location of the defibrillator and provided with the code to open the secure cabinet in which it is housed. The ambulance call assessor has the ability to talk to any caller, defibrillator trained or not, through instructions on how to use the device as well as CPR techniques. The defibrillator itself also provides voice guidance throughout and pictorial guides are also present.

If you would like more information on how you or your business can donate a defibrillator to a Community Public Access Site visit www.aeddonate.org.uk