A COMMUNITY group has raised money for two life-saving defibrillators in just six weeks.
The Oakdale Community Lifesavers Group distributed 300 newsletters in October asking for donations to buy two of the machines, which are used to restart the heart of someone in cardiac arrest, in collaboration with the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.
The group raised more than £4,000, including from a Christmas street fair on December 7, which was relocated to the Bromley Heath Scout & Guide HQ to avoid Storm Darragh.
The two defibrillators will be placed on Oakdale Road by the two junctions with Oakdale Close and will be accessible in emergencies by using a code held by 999 operators.
They will be part of The Circuit, a national database of defibrillators used by 999 call handlers to direct people to their nearest machine.
Phone apps including the British Heart Foundation’s Defib Finder also show locations.
Group member Fiona Konteh said: “We have been blown away by the generosity of the local community, who have recognised the importance of having this potentially lifesaving equipment within easy reach of residents and road users.
“We have been helped by Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council and by Downed Round Table, who have just donated a massive £2,000 from the fireworks fund.
“This has enabled us to move very swiftly, and we hope that both will be installed within the next few weeks. It shows what can be achieved when communities come together in this way.”
The group’s donation page is still open to pay for installation costs and replacement pads, and can be found at tinyurl.com/fpdkuwm9.