On the 21st April a group of Veterans comprising of Army and Naval Veterans will be running the Manchester 55km to raise money to purchase a defibrillator for the Mosses community centre.

The Manchester Canal 55km starts in the small town of Sowerby Bridge and mainly follows the Rochdale canal through the Pennine hills passing through Rochdale, Failsworth, Chadderton, Littleborough and Hebden bridge finishing in Manchester city center close to Piccadilly Train Station.

A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest. This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it's an essential life saving step in the chain of survival. If you come across someone who has had a cardiac arrest, it’s vital to call 999 and start CPR. Then you should find out if there is a defibrillator nearby. There are many defibrillators available in public places such as train stations, shopping centres, airport and leisure centres. These defibrillators are often known as public access defibrillators (PAD) as anyone can use them in an emergency. You shouldn’t be afraid of using a defibrillator if someone has had a cardiac arrest.

As veterans, the Mosses Center is important to us because of the Veterans Breakfast Club that is run every Friday. It provides a location for like minded people who have served in the Armed Forces to meet for support and seek help if it is required, swap old stories and some inter service banter. It also provides a life line for veterans living with social isolation and PTSD given them support and help.

Links

www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/how-to-save-a-life/defibrillators

Manchester Canal 55km –www.purechallenge.co.uk/index.php/event/manchester-canal-55k-supporting-love-manchester-fund/

Mosses Community Centre- www.mossescentre.co.uk

Bury Veterans Breakfast Club- www.afvbc.co.uk/bvbc-bury-veterans-breakfast-club/