A DEFIBRILLATOR has been installed outside a community centre allowing a village to have 24-hour access to the life saving equipment.
Kirk Harper, of Milgate Street, Royston, was keen for a defibrillator to be installed in the village that was fully accessible.
Royston had one defibrillator inside the ASDA store on Midland Road, however the store closes at 10pm meaning that during an emergency after that time, the closest defibrillator is not available until the store opens at 7am the next morning, or 10am on a Sunday.
Eager to change that, Kirk set up a fundraising page to have a fully accessible defibrillator available in Royston.
He said: “I began fundraising in June and I held a fundraising event at the Pack Horse pub on Church Street. Following this Joyce Hotchkiss, who is a resident and volunteers at Meadow Crescent Community Centre said she would organise another fundraising event at the community centre to boost funds.
“We also had collection tubs in local businesses across the village and at the Meadow Crescent event which took place in September. People were very generous, donating items for the raffle we held.”
Altogether the community raised £2,200 for a defibrillator which was bought and installed at the community centre.
Kirk said: “The community has been fantastic. Joyce and the team have been amazing and it’s great that we finally have an accessible defibrillator in the area that anyone can use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
The money left over following the purchase of the defibrillator is going to be used towards another defibrillator for the village.
Kirk said: “It’s important that this lifesaving equipment is available and we plan to help other groups fundraising for a defibrillator in Royston to ensure that residents have an accessible defibrillator close to their home.
“Please get in touch via the Royston Community Fundraisers page on Facebook if you are fundraising and would like to be considered.”
The Yorkshire Ambulance Service will be providing a demonstration on how to use the defibrillator tomorrow from 10am to noon at Meadow Crescent Community Centre.
