12 additional life-saving defibrillators are being installed in Ashington this week
Ashington Town Council shared the community defibrillator map on our website some time ago. At the time we were determined to add to those available for people living in, and visiting Ashington.
It has taken some time to get where we are now, but the Council has taken delivery of 12 defibrillators, which will be installed this week.
The equipment was purchased with funding from our County Councillors: Cllr Caroline Ball, Cllr Brian Gallacher, Cllr Lynne Grimshaw, Cllr Jim Lang, Cllr Ken Parry, and Cllr Mark Purvis. County Cllrs were delighted to be part of this project and are reassured that the town will have greater coverage in the event of anyone having a cardiac arrest.
The hope is that there will be many more defibrillators available when they are installed in schools, following the Government's pledge that all schools will have at least one defibrillator by the end of the 2023 school year.
Chair of Ashington Town Council, Cllr Mark Purvis said,
"We hope other Town and Parish Councils will feel inspired by Ashington Town Council and look at project managing the installation of defibs in their towns and villages. Some have already, and although it is not without its challenges, finding guardians and suitable locations, it is worth it to potentially save a life."
Once defibrillators have been installed, and registered, they will be available in the event of an emergency, by calling 999.
You do not need training to use a public access defibrillator. Public access defibrillators are designed to be used by the public. When you switch the defibrillator on, it will provide clear instructions and talk you through what you need to do. Visit the resusitation website, linked below, to find out more about defibrillation.
Defibrillation | Resuscitation Council UK
Our defibrillators, which have been purchased from WEL Medical, are being installed in the following locations. They will be maintained jointly by guardians at each location and Ashington Town Council.
- Ashington Sea Cadets and Cambois Rowing Club
- Wansbeck Riverside Caravan Park/The Riverside Pantry
- Hirst Welfare Centre
- Hirst Park Pavilion
- Seaton Hirst Veterans Institute – off Milburn Road
- JT Dove Ashington
- North Seaton Colliery Community Centre
- The Northern Social Club
- B&M Store Ashington
- Ashington Spiritualist Church
- Salvation Army Church Hall
- Hatchmeadow Retirement Housing
Pictured (left to right) Cllr Mark Purvis, Cllr Ken Parry, Cllr Caroline Ball, Cllr Brian Gallacher, Cllr Jim Lang. Each Cllr holding two defbs that have been purchased with funding from their Members Local Improvement Schemes (MLIS). Also pictured are two of the 12 cabinets that will house the defibrillators at each site. Cllr Lynne Grimshaw (not pictured) also funded two defibs and cabinets.
