FAO: All Newsdesks
Members of the Jedburgh community, Cllr Scott Hamilton and Rachael Hamilton MSP welcomed the new defibrillator at Jedburgh’s Spar store.
On 22nd August 2018, Jedburgh Resilient Community Group was contacted by Rev. Andrew Cooper from St John the Evangelist church. The church had been gifted a defibrillator by the Order of St John, represented by Alasdair Hutton.
Rev. Cooper wished to pass on the gift to the Jedburgh Resilient Community Group, represented by Jedburgh Community Councillor Georgiana Craster (George) and Cllr Scott Hamilton. George and Scott identified the Spar on Lothian Road, Jedburgh, as the ideal spot.
Spar Manager, Gary Kowbel was instrumental in seeking approve from Spar’s Head Office for the installation of the defib. It was then kindly installed by Murdoch and Lunn Electrical Services. A plaque was then installed by Brian Woods with the frame for the plaque made by the Jed Shed.
On Tuesday 26th February, an AED and Basic Life Saving Skills training took place with the help of the Jedburgh Fire Brigade at their premises on the Pleasance.
Ms Hamilton would like to thank all those involved in the entire process, from the gifting of the defibrillator to the installation.
Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP, Rachael Hamilton said:
“The latest installation of a defibrillator in Jedburgh is very much welcomed in the community.
“Defibrillators can make a real difference in saving lives when communities are properly equipped to provide an emergency response. Delivering a defibrillatory electrical shock to the heart within 3-5 minutes of someone collapsing can produce survival rates as high as 75%.
“I am so grateful of all the hard work, kindness and generosity of all those who have been involved from start to finish with this project”.
Councillor Scott Hamilton for Jedburgh and District said:
“This is a fantastic addition to this service in Jedburgh and covers an area in Jedburgh which wasn’t adequately covered before.
“Although, I hope it is not required its positioning at the Spar shop will make it an ideal lifesaving solution should the worst case scenario happen”.
Georgiana Craster, Resilience Coordinator said:
“We are relying on the basic instinct of human beings helping each other; it is not about committees or meetings.
“Resilience is about knowing that one can rely on others in moments on crisis.
“We have been supported by the Emergency Planning & Business Continuity at SBC, which supplied us with essential equipment, on the local businesses in hosting such equipment and on others for training”.