An innovative scheme launched in Alderley Edge could see hundreds of free defibrillators donated throughout the UK.
The scheme saw local businesses invited via the village trader group “Love Alderley” to sponsor advertising panels installed above the pay and display machines in the Waitrose car park.
After a flurry of interest, three businesses, The Bubble Room, Fosters and DLS Solicitors donated the £2000 allowing the defibrillator to be purchased and donated to the Parish Council.
Emma Mason, from The Bubble Room, said “We are delighted to be one of the three sponsors of the defibrillator. To be part of a scheme that will help save lives locally is something we are very proud of. It was a great opportunity for some of the established businesses in the village to give something back to the community that has supported us over the years!”
Kath Foster from Fosters Fish and Chips said “We are really pleased to be able to donate to such a worthwhile addition to the village – even if we hope it will never be needed!”
Frank Young from Waitrose said “Waitrose were absolutely committed to this scheme that helps protect lives in our local community. We were approached by LifePad Solutions who are an organization committed to generating funding to see more defibrillators in place and between us we came up with the idea of allowing sponsorship in the car park.
“The feedback from local businesses wanting to support the scheme was fantastic and together we are delighted to donate the defibrillator to The Parish Council. If the defibrillator saves one person’s life in the future then the whole scheme will have been worthwhile.”
Kevin Dryburgh of Lifepad Solutions said “We cannot thank Waitrose enough for supporting this scheme. They have been so supportive of us since the idea was initially put to them and hopefully this is something that could eventually be rolled out into all stores going forward. Some 60,000 people die every year in the UK from cardiac arrest and many of those lives could have been saved if a defibrillator was close by. Every time another defibrillator is supplied by Lifepad and our supporters we are reducing those statistics a little bit more. Without Waitrose and the funding from the local businesses – who knows how long Alderley edge would have had to wait to get a defibrillator.”
Rachel Grantham from Alderley Edge Parish Council added “The Council have been desperate to obtain a defibrillator for some time but they are very expensive and we simply did not have the funds in place.
“I think this initiative is amazing and would like to thank the local businesses so much for their help and sponsorship and Waitrose for allowing the advertisement on their site.”
The location of the defibrillator will be voted on and confirmed at the Parish Council Meeting on Monday, 11th June, with the likely location being The Bubble Room. It is hoped that by locating the equipment at a centralised location with high accessibility within the Village and ensuring that the location is widely publicised – it will maximise the benefit for visitors and residents.
Photo: The Defibrillator being presented to the Council by the supporting businesses.
Published by Aderley Edge 5.6.2018
http://www.alderleyedge.com/news/article/17620/local-independent-businesses-fund-community-defibrillator
