Whittlesey is a defibrillator hot spot

Latest defibrillators in Whittlesey (Image: Archant)

There are 33 public access defibrillators, two waiting to be placed and 16 privately owned as well as equipment in local schools.

Deborah Slator, of registered charity, Defibrillators For All, said: “Bigger plans are in store for 2017 as we have booked a screening bus for two days to screen the young people of the town.

“Screening costs £5,000 per day and over two days can screen up to 200 young people between the ages of 14 and 35.

“Fundraising has already started and in the new year the charity will put together a programme of events to ensure they raise the £10,000 needed.

Latest defibrillators in Whittlesey (Image: Archant)

“The support from the local community has been phenomenal. All this amazing feat In three years.”

Defibrillators For All has inspired other local schemes in Murrow, Holme, Farcet, Yaxley and March and the group gives advice saving a lot of work based on their experience and contacts, allowing new groups to progress quickly.

Deborah said: “Residents are given monthly updates via local magazines and every schoolchild in the town has taken part in a school assembly.

“Awareness and training sessions with a small but simple and effective booklet has helped many of the community to become “defib aware”.

Latest defibrillators in Whittlesey - one for Malcolm Bean (Image: Archant)

“There is still lots of work to do, before our town of Whittlesey has received all that it deserves, but with the support and dedication of the whole town we will continue to make progress.

“We hope that other groups will look at us and think that if we can do this so can they!”

• The British Heart Foundation and Resuscitation UK say that in cardiac arrest access to CPR and a defibrillator within 3-5 minutes can quadruple chances of survival.

• One of the new defibrillators installed this year was in memory of popular local fireman Malcom Bean.