Despite delays because of Covid-19 restrictions we have now reached a major milestone!

From a point, just over three years ago, of having no 24-hour defibrillators available to the public, as can be seen from the latest map, the three new units will now link up the circle of potential lifesaving equipment.

Available 24 hours a day via a 999 call they could dramatically increase chances of survival from less than 5% to 70% in the event of a cardiac arrest – IT’S A NO BRAINER!

I would like to thank all those who have contributed especially:

Philip Clark (Horndale Residents), Ken Robson (Acorn Residents), Les Gibson BEM (Boxing Club), Bernard Hume (Rugby Club), together with Roger Pounder and Valerie Wright, who have all donated with legacy money left to them by the late Honest John.

Livin Housing group have installed a completely new unit which is now fitted outside 7 Silverdale Place in the western area of the town, this is being run in connection with Junction7 by Jane and Simon.

Working with Malcolm Gray of Livin Housing group they also agreed to move, and part support installation outdoors, of an existing defibrillator currently inside Simpasture Court, this unit had been donated by Honest John.

This unit will then be available to the wider Simpasture Area community and has been welcomed by Barbara Turner, who has been maintaining the existing unit as something she and many of Simpasture Courts residents wanted to do. “As an ex-nurse I know the difference this could mean to a family if it helps to save a life”, said Barbara.

Shelly and her staff at McColls are working with other shop owners, including Walkers Butchers, Simpasture Fisheries and the public, raising funds towards the balance of installation costs. Make sure you get a raffle ticket at McColls, there are some great prizes, and any surplus funds will be passed on to help fund the Town Centre unit.

The unit in the Town Centre will be in the centre of the shopping precinct opposite the British Heart Foundation shop. As well as the funding from the Honest John Legacy and any surplus from the Simpasture funds we have received substantial donations from: Town Centre Landlords, Paul Howell MP, GATC Youth Committee, the Taylor Family, in memory of Daughter Seonaid, and Sonia Scott from the MAD Choir.

In recognition of the Honest John Legacy donations, both the units at the Simpasture area and the Town Centre will carry a memorial plaque recognising his contribution.

We will, with GATC support, be carrying out Covid-19 safe public demonstrations of Basic CPR and Defibrillator use. We intend to use various locations, such as a unit in the shopping area, so watch out for dates and locations coming soon. The current situation has placed extra strain on our emergency services, by providing more defibrillators and public awareness of the basics of life saving CPR, we can help them.

This link up of outdoor units is not yet giving every area a close local connection (within a 500 yards radius) to a 24-hour unit, but we are working on the few remaining gaps.

We thank Middridge Parish Council, for their forward-thinking decision taken at their last Parish meeting, to my suggestion for a unit at the two new estates Acorn Gardens and Elder Gardens. When the two estates are completed (probably late 2021or early 2022) a unit here will provide potential lifesaving cover for many families. They have been involved since this campaign started and the unit they installed on The Bay Horse was the third in this project.

From no 24-hour units to where we are now is simply down to what we already knew – Newton Aycliffe is a great place to live and it is full of people who care.

Further information or donations please contact:

David Sutton-Lloyd, Treasurer

Woodham Village Community Association

woodham.community@gmail.com

Tel: 01325 316144