Auchinleck Talbot FC receives first community defibrillators
Earlier this year, East Ayrshire Council launched a life-saving initiative bringing together contractors and communities to provide defibrillators for community use and the roll-out of equipment has commenced, with the first of seven such partnerships being announced.
Auchinleck Talbot Football Club have taken receipt of a defibrillator donated by local company McConnell (Hugh LS McConnell Ltd), and representatives from both organisations recently met at Auchinleck Talbot Social Club in the town, for the handover of the life-saving equipment.
The initiative aims to encourage contractors to donate life-saving equipment for distribution within the communities where they are undertaking work, as part of their obligations to provide wider local community benefits during the life of their contract with the Council.
Campbell Peden, Ground Safety Officer, Auchinleck Talbot F.C said:
“Auchinleck Talbot Football Club would like to thank East Ayrshire Council, McConnell and Millar Electrics for the donation and installation of our Community Defibrillator. Actions speak louder than words, and today you have shown this to be the case as we accept this vital piece of lifesaving equipment on behalf of our local community.”
Tracy McKellar, Bid Manager with McConnell said:
“McConnell has a strong history in Ayrshire as our Head Office is based in Kilmarnock so we are delighted to be supporting East Ayrshire Council in this defibrillator appeal. We are currently delivering a Roofing and External Wall Insulation programme throughout the area and aim to leave a lasting legacy long after we’ve gone.
“We are therefore committed to investing in local communities and enhancing the wellbeing of local people, we listen and actively respond when we are asked to help, be that through employment opportunities, donations, sponsorships or community volunteering.
“The defibrillator appeal is a fantastic concept, and it is our pleasure to participate in such a great initiative. Providing this lifesaving equipment and associated security box to Auchlinleck Talbot Football Club to help save lives is an honour.”
David Doran, Health & Safety Manager at East Ayrshire Council praised this initiative. He said: “It’s great to see this initiative between ourselves and Procurement coming to fruition. This installation will benefit the community of Auchinleck and I’m grateful to McConnell for this generous donation.
“We want to make East Ayrshire a defibrillator Council within the next five years by installing community access equipment in as many prominent locations as possible across the authority and contractors such as McConnell will help make this happen. This is the first of seven such partnerships to benefit from the equipment over the coming weeks.
Applications are welcomed from any community groups and clubs based in East Ayrshire who would like to benefit from this equipment. Further details on how the initiative works and how to apply can be found on the East Ayrshire Council Wellbeing Website including a fill list of locations of current defibrillators in East Ayrshire, how to register your defibrillator and information on how to use and maintain the equipment.