Father Anthony Cornforth carried out a dedication of the latest 24 hour public access defibrillator, now fitted to the outside of St. Mary’s Church. He praised the efforts of all those involved in providing this potential life saving equipment. He also asked us all to remember the many dedicated people in our emergency services for their daily efforts to keep us safe.
Pictured with Father Cornforth are Andy Robinson, Joan Bain, Trevor Taylor, Calum Taylor, Drew Hill, Rachael Taylor, Liz Kengyelics, David Sutton-Lloyd, and Margaret Taylor.
Following the early death of their daughter, Seonaid Taylor-Hill, from a heart condition the Taylors were determined that in her memory good could be done, and by helping provide potential life saving equipment their hope is that other families are spared from their loss.
The St. Mary’s unit is the second 24 hour unit that the Taylor family has helped raise funds for. The first was at Neville Community Centre, with support from the Community Centre Committee, newly formed Neville Residents (Chaired by Heather Brewster), and GAMP funds from Councillors Sarah Iveson and Jim Atkinson.
Their campaign “Kick it 4 Senoid” has, and continues to raise funds, to further support this cause. Both units have now had a small memorial plaque fitted with the simple heart felt message “In Memory Senoid Taylor-Hill saving lives”.
Pictured centre is Drew Hill, Senoid’s son, who with Liz Kengyelics, Andy Robinson and Joan Bain were representing all those at St. Mary’s who have helped contribute to this project.
This latest installation follows on from the first 24 hour unit fitted to Woodham Community Centre just over two years ago.
We now have 12 units (Greenfield College although on the outside of the building is not accessible from 10pm till 7am). We still do not have the total coverage I would like, that is a 24 hour unit within 500 yards radius of everyone. Newton News has already produced two centre page pull outs showing all the locations and I am sure will keep this updated.
I am in discussions with several parties and hope we will continue to achieve further coverage.
Whilst providing the public with 24 hour access to potential life saving equipment is important, awareness and education of CPR and defibrillator use is just as important. Since the first unit was installed two years ago, with support from GAMP we have now provided free awareness courses to 391 people. Further awareness courses are now planned to run at Neville Community Centre, Aycliffe Village Community Centre and St Mary’s. These are being supported by GAMP funds from all 7 of our County Councillors, British Heart Foundation and North East Ambulance Service.
Venues, dates and times for the next 8 weeks will be published in Newton News next week or contact as follows.
David Sutton-Lloyd
01325 316144
