Washington Rotary group installs latest defibrillator as drive to save lives in the community continues

A Washington community group which is on a mission to save lives by installing defibrillators throughout the area, have taken the next step forward in their plans as they oversee the installation of another unit outside a local pub.
By Sam Johnson
Published 9th Oct 2020, 12:00 BST
L to R: Ronnie Monaghan (President of Rotary Washington Forge), Frank Reay of The Stella Public House, and Councillor Bernie Scaplehorn) RegardsL to R: Ronnie Monaghan (President of Rotary Washington Forge), Frank Reay of The Stella Public House, and Councillor Bernie Scaplehorn) Regards
L to R: Ronnie Monaghan (President of Rotary Washington Forge), Frank Reay of The Stella Public House, and Councillor Bernie Scaplehorn) Regards

The latest step in the project by Washington Forge Rotary Club has seen the installation of a defibrillator outside the Stella pub in Albany and becomes the third unit installed since the beginning of the project.

The group launched the campaign to oversee the installation of defibrillators in all Washington Wards last year but the coronavirus pandemic saw plans delayed for several months.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.

Victoria Leighton, Manager at the Donwell House Care Home, with President Ronnie Monaghan and Fidelma de Faoite from Washington Forge Rotary, and Billy Broad from GentooVictoria Leighton, Manager at the Donwell House Care Home, with President Ronnie Monaghan and Fidelma de Faoite from Washington Forge Rotary, and Billy Broad from Gentoo
Victoria Leighton, Manager at the Donwell House Care Home, with President Ronnie Monaghan and Fidelma de Faoite from Washington Forge Rotary, and Billy Broad from Gentoo

Speaking about the latest instalment, Club Secretary Phil Hopps said: “This is our third community public access defibrillator within the Washington West Ward. We are grateful for the support that the local ward councillors have given us.

We are already in the process of liaising with communities and councillors in other areas of Washington to identify suitable locations and funding opportunities to extend the availability of this potentially life-saving equipment.

Other defibrillators installed in the Washington West ward include Donwell Care Home and Blackfell Premier store.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A defibrillator delivers a dose of electric current to the heart and is used to treat sudden cardiac arrests.

Sarubjit (Surge) Randhawa with President Ronnie Monaghan and Fidelma de Faoite of Washington Forge Rotary, and Billy Broad from Gentoo.Sarubjit (Surge) Randhawa with President Ronnie Monaghan and Fidelma de Faoite of Washington Forge Rotary, and Billy Broad from Gentoo.
Sarubjit (Surge) Randhawa with President Ronnie Monaghan and Fidelma de Faoite of Washington Forge Rotary, and Billy Broad from Gentoo.

Statistics show between 300,000 and 400,000 people experience sudden cardiac arrest in a non-hospital environment every year.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.

Related topics:WashingtonWashington West