Life saving equipment is set to be installed around March within the next two weeks thanks to a programme of fund raising that was spearheaded by mayor councillor Rob Skoulding.

Cambs Times: Mayor of March, Rob Skoulding with Andrew Deptford, who will supply the defribillatorsMayor of March, Rob Skoulding with Andrew Deptford, who will supply the defribillators (Image: Archant)

After just four months of launching the Have A Heart campaign a set of six defibrillators, costing around £1,000 each, are to be installed at key locations in the town.

The first is set to go outside the town hall by the middle of November with a further five to go at the 24 hour Tesco store, the One Stop shop in The Avenue, One Stop Shop at Maple Grove, the Oliver Cromwell Hotel and a final location yet to be finalised.

Cllr Skoulding said: “My dad died of a heart attack. If this equipment had been around it might have given him a chance.

“I would like to give families a chance to keep their loved ones.”

Helping to tot up the money pot have been donations of £500 from Breathe Easy, £731 from people attending the Fenland Business Awards, a £1,000 donation from Mrs Raven whose husband died of a heart attack, the March 4th Brownies and fund raising from Cllr Skoulding and his family who have run stalls at various events.

The Have a Heart campaign was launched in July to copy the successful Whittlesey-based Defibs for All charity which has so far provided more than 23 across the town since it was launched early last year by Deborah Slator and her team.

Now Mrs Slator is offering her expertise to help March follow in Whittlesey’s footsteps.

Cllr Skoulding is donating his allowance as a Fenland district councillor to the cause and hopes that charitable organisations like the Round Table, Lions and Freemasons will get behind the campaign.

He said: “It is a simple piece of equipment that can save a life if you can reach one quickly. People stand a chance if they can get help from a defib within five minutes which is why I want to ensure there is one within four minutes of wherever people are in the town.”

Suggestions for further defibrillator locations include near the Riverside GP practice, the train station, Merchford House GP surgery and the Co-Op in Badgeney Road.