Sunderland landmarks to be illuminated red to raise awareness of the importance of defibrillator access

Seven Sunderland landmarks will be illuminated this Saturday night (May 28) to raise awareness of the dangers of cardiac arrest and the importance of people being CPR trained and having access to defibrillators.

A joint initiative by Rotary North East and Sunderland City Council will see Penshaw Monument, the Northern Spire Bridge, Fulwell Mill, Hylton Castle, Keel Square, High Street West and the lighthouse at Cliffe Park lit up red from dusk until dawn.

The Northern Spire bridge is one of seven landmarks to be lit up red to raise awareness of the importance of CPR training and community access to defibrillators.

placeholder image — The Northern Spire bridge is one of seven landmarks to be lit up red to raise awareness of the importance of CPR training and community access to defibrillators.

The Rotary Club have campaigned to raise funds to provide community public access defibrillators (CPADs) as well as providing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training for local communities.

Since July 2020, Rotary North East have installed around 60 defibrillators across the region including 20 in Washington.

Phil Hopps with one of the defibrillators installed by Rotary North East.

Sunderland's Board Inn receives life-saving defibrillator thanks to Red Sky Foun...

Community Service Team Leader Phil Hopps said: “Every minute which goes by for someone who has had a cardiac arrest and doesn’t have access to a defibrillator, there chances of survival decreases by 10 per cent.

"This just shows time is of the essence and the effectiveness of defibrillators. CPR is also vital which is why training is so important and that people have the confidence to use it.

"We also know a lot of buildings and workplaces have defibrillators inside and we would just encourage people to consider fitting them externally in casing to enable public access.”