Life saving initiative clocks up more milestones thanks to local sponsorship

East Ayrshire Council's Community Defibrillator notched up another success as it passed the 60 mark with its Community Defibrillator Initiative recently. 

Since April 2022  the Council's lifesaving programme has issued 59 defibrillators and cabinets to clubs, groups and community associations across the length and breadth of East Ayrshire.

This record was toppled recently when Christopher Smith, representing SWECO UK Ltd.

Europe’s leading design, engineering, environment and regulatory consultancy, visited Council HQ in Kilmarnock to meet Health and Safety Manager David Doran and donate three further defibrillators and cabinets.

The donation which came about through the Council's  Community Benefits provisions takes the provision area wide to over 60 units.

Under Community Benefits,  contractors and developers working with the council are required to donate training and recruitment opportunities or make moves to improve the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of the authority’s area in a way additional to the main purpose of the contract. 

Many companies have already contributed equipment to the Council's Defibrillator Initiative which is then donated to clubs, groups and community organisations which are interested in hosting a defibrillator cabinet in in their community.

Commenting on this Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet spokesperson for Community Safety said:

"We currently have seven applications from clubs and groups awaiting equipment, and this latest donation will allow us to start the process of contacting these clubs and groups in order to organise equipment handovers in the coming weeks.

"Thanks to the on-going generosity of companies who hold contracts with the Council, we are able to continue to meet demand from our communities who would like to take part in the initiative and host a community defibrillator. We know that  some of them have already been needed and used, and they provide reassurance for many, knowing that this lifesaving equipment is close at hand and available for anyone who needs to use it.

"We often talk about Community Wealth Building,  pooling the resources we have available to help people live healthier, happier and more fulfilled lives and achieving this by working with business and community to make the most of every opportunity. This is a good example of how we can all work together to genuinely improve life chances for some people."

"We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all of the companies who have donated time and equipment to the initiative, and for their on-going support in our aim to make East Ayrshire a defibrillator authority, where all of our communities have access to this life-saving equipment.”

To find out more about the Defibrillator Initiative, including where they are located throughout East Ayrshire and how to apply to host one near you, please visit   defibrillators-for-communities