Agricola Lodge No 4501 recently got together with three other Lodges in the Maidstone area and the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity to fund the purchase and installation of an Automatic External defibrillator.
Installed at the local village hall in Sutton Valence (a village about 5 miles south of Maidstone) it was supplied by Suffolk based Charity The Community Heartbeat Trust who also provided training in it’s use.
Each year over 100,000 people in the UK suffer sudden cardiac arrest in a public space. Their chances of survival are increased by up to 50% if a defibrillator is used promptly.
Modern defibrillators are completely automatic and can safely be used by members of the public without previous training. A recent handover demonstration was attended by representatives of the Women’s Institute, a local Dancing Society, Football Teams, Sutton Valence Gardening Association, Flower Arranging and Fine Arts Societies all of whom use either the Village Hall or the adjacent Sports Field. As well as familiarising themselves with the defibrillator, delegates were able to try Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on specially designed mannequins.
A third and vital partner in the project was Sutton Valence Parish Council who will be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the equipment.
Speaking at a recent handover ceremony, Eve Poulter, Chair of Sutton Valence Parish Council said…
“ I would like to thank all those who have made this possible. The generosity of our local Freemasons and the support of The Community Heartbeat Trust mean that our parishioners can use our facilities confident in the knowledge that should a problem arise, the most up to date and effective equipment is on hand.”
Bill Laidler, speaking on behalf of the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity added…
“ We are delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile and important community project, as part of our celebrations for the 300th Anniversary of English Freemasonry. We hope that this partnership will become a model for others in the coming years”.
Community Heartbeat has so far provided over 3,000 public access defibrillators.
If a friend or member of your family is suddenly taken ill in a public space, phone 999. If appropriate, the Ambulance Service will guide you to your nearest defibrillator.