Heart of England Co-operative Society helps keep hearts beating in Church Lawford

The Heart of England Co-operative Society has donated the final £550 needed for a life-saving defibrillator for emergency use by the residents of rural Church Lawford.

The device will be for community use in the village, including its 400 residents, punters at The Old Smithy pub, and visitors to the village hall.

In cases of cardiac arrest, prompt action using a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death. Research shows shock treatment using a defibrillator within the first three minutes of cardiac arrest gives the best chance of survival.

With every minute after that passes, the chance of survival reduces significantly.

The idea to purchase the community defibrillator came from Sally Bragg, a parish councillor in Church Lawford and the existing Mayor of Rugby.

After raising much of the £2,438 cost from Warwickshire’s County Councillor Fund and the Church Lawford village fete committee Sally applied for the

remaining £550 from the Society’s Helping Hearts Awards Scheme after spotting application forms in The Co-operative food store in nearby Long Lawford.

The device is expected to arrive within a few weeks.

It will be kept on the outside of the village hall and all residents in the village will be offered the chance to take part in a free training session.

Sally said: “I was delighted to learn our bid had been successful as this defibrillator really could mean the difference between life and death. Our village has an ageing population and we never know when we might need to use the device.

“In cases of emergency every second counts so instead of waiting for an ambulance to arrive we will now be able to apply life-saving treatment while the ambulance is en route.”

Sally said the device will be accessible to all residents in cases of emergency. She is already trained to use the device in her role as borough councillor.

All five parish councillors will also undergo training and the session will be open to all other residents wishing to learn.

Sally said: “The more people who come along, the better.”

Further information will be available in the village newsletter. Alternatively, speak to any member of the parish council.

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