A brand new life-saving defibrillator was formally unveiled at Apex Park in Highbridge on Saturday (December 10th).
The equipment – an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) – is now available for use on someone having a suspected heart attack.
It has been installed on the wall of the park’s office building in the Marine Drive car park, as pictured, and is housed an eye-catching tamper proof, yellow box.
Crucially, the defibrillator fitted is a speaking-instructional device, meaning no medical training is required to use it. In the event of an emergency, people should call 999 and the emergency call handler will advise of the AED’s location (if the caller is not already aware of it).
Burnham-On-Sea Harriers, who manage the Burnham and Highbridge Parkrun, which takes place in Apex Park every Saturday morning, were granted funds from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, and also received generous donations from the Burnham and Highbridge Parkrun community, to buy the AED and its special storage cabinet.
Reg Huxtable from Burnham and Highbridge Parkrun told Burnham-On-sea.com: “When we originally toyed with the idea of an AED in Apex Park and the costs involved it was somewhat daunting. However, once we started the ball rolling the extreme generosity of our councils and the people of Burnham and Highbridge parkrun became very apparent, resulting in completion of this successful project.”
Sedgemoor District Council paid for the equipment to be installed. Spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Defibrillators are vital pieces of equipment that can save someone’s life. This addition to the park is potentially of massive benefit to Apex’s many users and the surrounding area. We would like to thank the Burnham and Highbridge Parkrun team for raising the funds for the defibrillator.”
Pictured: Reg Huxtable, Paul Young and Stuart Anderson at the unveiling of the new Defibrillator on Saturday morning
