Residents from Bullen Village in Ryde have been receiving CPR and defibrillator training today (Friday) thanks to the efforts of a 12-year-old Ryde Academy student.
Katie Barnicoat attended an Isle of Wight NHS Trust ‘Restart a Heart’ training session at Ryde Fire Station back in October 2018. She learnt how defibs can dramatically increase survival rates compared to CPR alone and was concerned that the nearest publicly accessible defibrillators (PAD) to her home were several minutes away at Tesco and Busy Bee Garden Centre.
This session led to Katie going on to raise £1,150 to purchase a defibrillator for Bullen, which was installed by Island Roads back in February 2019.
Now, 22 of Katie’s neighbours have received their own CPR and defibrillator training at Ryde Fire Station in a session organised by the youngster. The group were welcomed to the community station this morning and were given vital, life-saving advice by Duncan Walker from Isle of Wight Ambulance Training & Community Response Services (ATCoRS).
Duncan previously awarded KAtie a special commendation from the service for her
Her actions have led to her being recently awarded a special commendation from the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Training and Community Response Services.
Best buy a few more for when the ‘other side’ of Bullen road is covered with concrete and homes, along with Penny Feathers and an expanding industrial park, or, more likely, ever more ‘social housing’ as the demand for industrial units fades. Watch and learn.
I take my hat off to you such a big heart for someone so young. Always so nice to hear something good from the young on the island. You should be so proud of yourself