Local business and charity enter life-saving partnership
A PARTNERSHIP between a local charity and business has led to the installation of a life-saving device in Hambridge Lane, Newbury.
A PARTNERSHIP between a local charity and business has led to the installation of a life-saving device in Hambridge Lane, Newbury.
Heartstart Thatcham has joined Swift Logistics to provide a public access defibrillator for the residents of Hambridge Lane and Hambridge Road business estate. The device is designed to be used by the public and could save the life of someone in cardiac arrest.
The charity and Swift are looking at other locations where such units could be installed, and the delivery staff are being taught life-saving skills to assist at emergencies in Hambridge Lane and elsewhere.
Swift Logistics’ group managing director Adrian Smith said: “The installation of the public access defibrillator is important to Swift’s whole team.
“Last year we lost colleague and friend Roger Benge to a heart attack, and we make this donation in his memory.
“Early intervention in the case of a cardiac incident saves lives and community-based units of this type make this sort of emergency response available in the key minutes between a cardiac arrest occurring and arrival of emergency ambulance response.”
Swift has previously shown its commitment to supporting life-saving emergency care in this area with the donation of a paramedic car to West Berkshire Rapid Response Cars, who pro-vide vital first-line professional emergency health response in support of the ambulance service.
All defibrillators placed by Heartstart Thatcham are available 24/7 and are registered with the South Central Ambulance Service.
Heartstart Thatcham scheme co-ordinator, Nick Young, said: “This is a partnership that not only benefits Swift, but the whole community; businesses and individuals in Hambridge Lane will benefit from the potentially life-saving device, but even more so, with staff being trained, the skills can be used anywhere needed.”
This is the fifth defibrillator installed by Heartstart Thatcham and it plans to provide more around Thatcham and Newbury.
The next one is earmarked for Kennet School later this year, which Dr Young said would be another partnership that would benefit not just the venue but the whole community.
