Lives could be saved thanks to new equipment that’s been installed in a key area for the night time economy in Bury St Edmunds. It’s the result of a joint effort from local businesses, fundraising campaigners and the Business Improvement District (BID) organisation Our Bury St Edmunds.
The latest 24-hour public access defibrillator has been installed at Verve restaurant and bar in Woolhall Street. It was made possible by a printer cartridge recycling scheme organised by a local businessman, a donation from a town councillor’s locality budget and the BID, enabling the purchase and installation of the equipment.
Wes Roper who owns Verve said: “Although there are a number of 24-hour accessible defibrillators in the town I felt it was important to have one in an area that is extremely busy at night. We were happy to provide the space and electrical requirements and contribute to the cost of installation. We are very grateful to all those who have generously supported the project.”
The defibrillator is the first in the town to be installed since a new fundraising initiative for the equipment was launched at The Apex with the support of arc Shopping Centre. A printer cartridge recycling scheme provides special bins for ink and toner cartridges and the money raised pays for the installation and upkeep of local defibrillators. Paul Hicklin, from Bury St Edmunds, has provided the collection bins through his Mildenhall-based business Compleat Office Solutions. Paul commented: “I’ve been committed to increasing the number of defibrillators available for public use in memory of my father and so I am delighted to see another one installed in the town centre. Through this recycling scheme we are reducing waste, raising funds and ultimately providing the opportunity save lives.”
Mike Kirkham from Our Bury St Edmunds has been working with Paul for a number of years to enable several defibrillators to be installed across the town centre. He said: “Paul’s commitment to this has meant we’ve been able to significantly increase the number of defibrillators available in Bury St Edmunds – and they are listed on the Our Bury St Edmunds map and our LoyalFree app too. It meant when discussing with Wes about providing another in Woolhall Street we had a blueprint to make it happen. I can’t thank Paul and his colleagues at Compleat Office Solutions enough for their ongoing support and the locality budget that the Town Council makes available to its councillors.
“I have also been delighted with the number of businesses taking advantage of our free first aid course which includes how to use a defibrillator but of course it makes all the difference when one is within easy reach in an emergency.”
Defibrillators can be used by anyone, with or without first aid training. They are fully automated and guide the user through every step of administering defibrillation on a casualty. With 20% of out of hospital cardiac arrests happening in public places then the availability of a defibrillator and ability to perform CPR is critical. A defibrillator used alongside quality CPR means the odds of survival jump from 6% to 75%.
For details of future first aid training organised by Our Bury St Edmunds contact Mike Kirkham on 01284 766258. The recycling bins for printer and toner cartridges to support the running costs of the defibrillators are available at The Apex during its usual opening hours.