A life-saving defibrillator has been installed at Culver Down and is now ready to be deployed, all thanks to the fundraising efforts of Terry and Sue Ramplin through their annual Isle of Wight Christmas lights display.
The Ramplins have given the local community a real treat each year with their wonderful show of Christmas lights at their home on Long Lane, Newport. This year they decided to donate the money raised – a total of £4,270 – to Challenge & Adventure and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Community Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) scheme.
Having received a cheque for £2,270 earlier this year, the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service have been busy putting the money to good use and finding a suitable home for a new PAD.
Tim and Kate Green of Culver Haven Inn have been kind enough to host the vital piece of equipment, which is located on the outside wall of the pub and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is accessed by ringing 999 and acquiring a code from the ambulance service.
It’s the first defib at the remote location, which is situated between Bembridge and Sandown.
Louise Walker, Head of Island’s Ambulance Training and Community Response Services (ATCoRS) said:
“It is essential our community has access to these life saving devices on our Island, as the time critical element of a cardiac arrest must not be underestimated.
“We are extremely thankful to Terry and Sue for their very generous donation which has enabled us to place the defibrillator at the Culver Down site as well as fund an additional defibrillator for another area.
Article continues below this advertisement “We are also most grateful to Kate and Tim Green at Culver Haven Inn for hosting the PAD and becoming our site guardians.”
Earlier this year Terry said:
“We only intended to donate 1 defibrillator, but with the great support of everyone we have the money to donate 2 defibs – 1 in a wall-mounted cabinet and the other a mobile unit”.
It’s been confirmed that the second defibrillator is set to be installed at Fisherman’s Cottage in Shanklin later this week. Instead of being a mobile unit, it will also be a Public Access Defibrillator as monies raised by the Island Savoyards has allowed for an external lock box to be sourced.
Terry has told Island Echo that he intends to once again ‘light up the wight’ in December.
