3 new defibrillators installed in York, after appeal

The devices have been set up in James Street, Elvington and Alne near Easingwold.

Last autumn, campaigners Mike McCann and Matthew Baynham said they wanted to find 15 companies willing to sponsor defibrillators for £1,000 each, in return for having their logos on one of the protective casings.

They say they have had a positive response, and the first devices are now being put in place.

Medical experts say the survival chances of someone who has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest rise from around three per cent to 75 per cent if a defibrillator is used on them within ten minutes.

Although there are already some in towns and cities, many are not registered with the 999 services, meaning call handlers are unable to direct people to them when they call in an emergency. The new ones will be registered.

The Lord Mayor of York Cllr Sonja Crisp, with the new defibrillators at (from top) Tayrol, York Handmade Brick Company, and Elvington Plant Hire

Tayrol decided to get involved after employee Sarah Shepard read in The Press about the campaign. She convinced her employers that it was a crucial campaign, as she is a Community First Responder and aware of the importance of the devices.

Director Keith Taylor said: ‘Elvington has been good to Tayrol over the past 25 years and it’s a pleasure to be involved with the fantastic York Heartsafe Campaign."

Elvington Plant Hire, York Handmade Brick Company in Alne, and Tayrol of Elvington, have all signed up to the sponsorship idea.

Sue Garland, director of Elvington Plant Hire, said: "Having already donated to the provision of a defibrillator in Elvington village, when we read the article in The Press regarding sponsorship of defibrillators for the York area, Elvington Plant Hire had no hesitation in committing to purchase one for the community in York for public use. We have had this installed at one of our other businesses, Elvington Floorcraft Ltd in James Street."

She said they hoped never to have to use the device, but they supported increasing public awareness, so it could be used if needed.

Guy Armitage, managing director of the award-winning York Handmade Brick Company said: “York Handmade are delighted to be supporting the HeartSafe Communities programme by installing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in a prominent position at our factory. This is an excellent campaign which will undoubtedly safe lives and our involvement underlines our commitment to the local community.”

Local MP Kevin Hollinrake added: “It is great when a local business works with the community to the benefit of all its residents in such an extremely important way. It is a thoughtful gesture by York Handmade Brick Company in funding this defibrillator which is a real asset to people living and working in the area.”

Mr McCann and Mr Baynham are talking to several other businesses and also some parish councils on the outskirts of York, which want defibrillators.

The defibrillators are all in protective casings, accessible by a code provided by the ambulance service when someone rings 999. The devices then give easy-to-follow audible instructions on how they should be used.