Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is one of the UK’s biggest killers and claims around 2,000 lives each week. That is 250 people a day or one person every five minutes. This includes 270 children a year who die in schools after suffering an arrest.
On 3 January this year, the Cornishman newspaper, working alongside a local Penzance charity the “Ronnie Richards Trust” launched a campaign to raise awareness of the affect of SCA and to get 100 lifesaving defibrillators into our local schools, communities and public places.
A number of the AED units are already in use in Penzance, Newlyn and Marazion and helping to save lives.
St Just Town Council feels it is important that the residents of St and Pendeen are also given access to this life saving equipment, and following a recent presentation by the Ronnie Richards Trust has decided to purchase two AEDs for our local communities.
Having taken this decision, the Town Council wants to hear your views on where they should be located. The units can be located on the outside of buildings and accessed 24 / 7. In addition, the Town Council has committed funds to provide training for a number of local volunteers. However, one of the main benefits of the unit is that you don’t have to be trained to use it. Anyone can use it and hopefully help to save a life.
Therefore, you are invited to attend a public meeting to be held at 6.00 p.m. on Wednesday 13 March 2013 at Cape Cornwall School. Everyone is welcome to attend so please tell your family and friends and come along to the meeting. Your help and support can make a difference. Representatives from the Ronnie Richards Trust will also be attending to explain the work of the trust and to demonstrate how the units work.
The Town Council hopes that the decision it has taken will encourage others to start fundraising, because the more units that are provided the more lives we can potentially save.
On behalf of the Town Council we look forward to seeing you at the meeting
Elaine Baker – Town Clerk