Taylor Wimpey donates defibrillator to Helensburgh's network of life-saving devices

The lifesaving device has been donated by Taylor Wimpey following the completion of the Hermitage Grange development.

As part of a joint initiative with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), the home builder is donating PADs to communities around the UK to help people who suffer from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Sheenah, Deryck and Sue at the Hermitage Grange development

Sheenah Nelson, co-ordinator of the Helensburgh Garelochside Rotary Club and chair of Helensburgh and Local District CPR/Defibrillator Association, said: “We can’t thank Taylor Wimpey enough for this defibrillator.

“While we hope that we don’t have to use it very often, it’s fantastic to know that we can access a defibrillator in the event of an emergency and hopefully help to save someone’s life.”

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Taylor Wimpey has also committed to ensuring all its defibrillators are registered on The Circuit – the national defibrillator network, which connects defibrillators to NHS ambulance services across the UK, so that in those crucial moments after a cardiac arrest they can be accessed quickly to help save lives.

Deryck Schendel, regional health and safety advisor for the company in Scotland, said: “It’s so important to us that we give something back to the communities in which we’re building.

“Our partnership with the BHF is vitally important in helping to ensure that more defibrillators are available for people who might need them, and we are proud to be able to make this equipment readily accessible in Helensburgh.”

James Jopling, head of BHF Scotland, added: “A cardiac arrest is the most serious medical emergency. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a person’s chance of surviving by around 10 per cent, but calling 999, starting immediate hands-only CPR and using a defibrillator can significantly increase their chances of survival.”