We are raising an initial £999 to purchase a life saving Community Public Access Defibrillator (CPAD) for the village of Oughtibridge.

In early February, John Wood was enjoying a drink in the local pub when one of his friends, Andy Clarke, took ill and very suddenly passed away. The events of that night have led John and his friends to seek to raise funds to buy a defibrillator accessible to the local community in memory of Andy.

Sudden cardiac failure is the leading cause of premature death in the UK, but many lives can be saved with immediate treatment. Fast access defibrillation and good quality bystander CPR are the two biggest factors in survival rates of out of hospital cardiac arrest. The chance of survival is dramatically increased if a defibrillator can shock the heart quickly, while an ambulance is on route. This chance of survival decreases 7-10% for every minute that defibrillation is not available.

CPADs are defibrillators placed in public places accessible 24 hours a day. The defibrillators are placed in a locked cabinet, when a caller calls 999 they can be sent to that box. The device can be used while the Ambulance is on route increasing chances of a successful resuscitation.

The initial £999 will be used to apply for a community grant for a subsidised cost form the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charitable Fund and if successful would provide the CPAD and the locked cabinet. It is hoped that by funding a CPAD it will one day make the difference to someone in our community.

Our fundraising will continue above the £999 to enable us to provide the ongoing costs of maintenance, replacement pads, batteries and insurance. We also aim to use any extra money raised to potentially fund a second defibrillator and to put back in to the community by providing basic life support and defibrillation training.

With the agreement and support of Andys family we will be fundraising and dedicating the defibrillator in his memory.

Thank you