Washington community project to install life-saving defibrillators takes another step forward, despite lockdown challenges

Washington Forge Rotary Club is on a mission to save lives by having defibrillator equipment installed throughout all council wards in the area, with the latest on installed at Washington Cricket Club, in Rickleton.

The group, which launched the campaign in 2019, has now overseen the installation of five public access defibrillators, with others also being installed at the Stella Pub in Albany, Donwell House Care Home, Building Blocks Day Centre, in Concord and Blackfell Premier Store.

The aim of the project is to ensure community defibrillators are readily available for residents with the long term goal being to have three defibrillators in each Washington ward.

Speaking about the latest installation, Washington Forge Rotary Club Secretary, Phill Hopps, said: “Covid-19 has influenced the progress rate of our community public access defibrillator project but despite this we’ve still been able to oversee two instllatios since December.

“For a few years the club has held a defibrillator within their clubhouse but wanted to make it more readily available as a community resource and we were delighted to help.

"This is an ongoing initiative and it is our plan to continue to identify suitable sites and raise the required funding.”

As well as overseeing the installation of defibrillators and raising the funding required, Washington Forge Rotary are also hoping to provide training on how to correctly use the equipment to ensure it is used to its full potential.

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