A WOMAN who suffered a heart attack two years ago has secured a lifesaving device for her community.
Ann Charlton, 62, had a heart attack at her home in West Avenue, Althorne, in 2016.
Ms Charlton’s life was saved by paramedic crews as well as a neighbour giving her CPR before they arrived.
In the past few months, Ms Charlton has been working to have a defibrillator installed near the caravan park where she lives, and has now had one donated to her by the NHS.
A defibrillator is a lifesaving device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest to someone who is in cardiac arrest.
Ms Charlton is now a custodian of the defibrillator at her home, and needs to crowdfund around £2,000 to have it housed and installed properly in the village and to register it with the ambulance services.
She said: “It’s something I’ve thought about for the last few months, thinking back to when I suffered the heart attack two years ago.
“If it wasn’t for the man who gave me CPR I may not have pulled through.
“Having someone on hand with the training and equipment to be able to help something could be the difference between life and death for someone who has an attack.
“I’m hoping to have it housed on the wall which surrounds the mobile homes here, I’ve already told the owner that I want this to happen and he’s all for it.”
Ms Charlton added: “I identified that there was a gap in the region for a community defibrillator to be installed, we have many people living here who are more than 60 years old who will be the most vulnerable.
“If anyone can help with raising this bit of money to get the defibrillator housed it will be greatly received.”
“When it’s installed, it will definitely help save someone’s life should the worst happen.”
Email ac_charlton_@hotmail.com to help.
Published by Maldon Standard 25.4.2018
http://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/news/16180674.Althorne_woman_who_suffered_heart_attack_secures_life_saving_device_for_public/
