Life-saving defibrillator pledge from First Responders as latest Corby equipment installed

The latest pieces of life-saving equipment have been installed on buildings in Corby to help members of the public play their part during community medical emergencies.

Managed by the North Northants Community First Responders, the three new defibrillators known as Automatic External Device (AED) have been added to the equipment available across the towns and villages in north Northamptonshire.

Paid for with donations from community groups and fundraisers, the defibrillators at Simply Indian in Gainsborough Road and the Cardigan Arms in The Jamb in the Old Village will be available this week.

A further defibrillator was installed last year outside The Viking Club on Corby's Danesholme estate after a fundraising campaign by the club's charity pot organised by Cliff Morton and nearby Danesholme infants and junior school pupils.

The Cardigan Arms defibrillator has been supported by landlord Craig Haldane.

Stacey Price, Community First Responder and Community AED Scheme Coordinator, said: "This is a year-long project.

"We have been working hard and we have more to come - we want one on every shopping parade and pub in the area.

"It's about helping the community and to help someone who is in cardiac arrest effectively, a defibrillator needs to be found as quickly as possible.

"For every minute it takes for the defibrillator to reach someone and deliver a shock, their chances of survival reduce by up to ten per cent."

Stacey and the team of First Responders have worked with members of the community to fund, find suitable locations and install the defibrillator and cabinet, a total cost of £2, 000.

There are currently 72 defibrillators in north Northamptonshire with only one stolen in the past five years.

A joint effort, the defibrillator in Gainsborough Road has been funded by the KHL Big Local (Kingswood and Hazel Leys) group, hosted by Simply Indian with permission from Corby Council.

Simply Indian owner Ali Hamdoun said: "We are pleased to be supporting the local community and we are happy to be keeping the customers and my staff safe."

Installation of the devices in all three locations has been carried out for free by Andrew Watson of AW Security who is also a Community First Responder.

He said: "I'm proud to be helping out in the community and playing my part."

Community First Responders have to commit to 200 hours service a year - four hours a week - and fundraise for the self-funded roles.

Corby Community Responders cover Corby and Kettering Desborough, Rothwell, Burton Latimer and Barton Seagrave.

Other areas cover patches across the county including East Northants, Oundle, Wellingborough and Northampton.

Responders are responsible for a number of defibrillators taking on monthly checks of the AED ensuring that pads are in date, the battery charged and that the defibrillator is resus ready.

Stacey added: "In 2020 the defibrillators were used 15 times last year - that's more than one person a month who has been helped.

"I am extremely proud of my team. They are such a good team and it's been such a good effort."