Inverness women's gym members train as life-savers
MEMBERS of a women’s gym in Inverness are hoping their efforts can be of benefit to the wider community after having a defibrillator installed.
Curves, which is based in Harbour Road, almost doubled its fundraising target for the device, which is being provided by the charity Lucky2BHere.
Now they have taken delivery of the vital piece of life-saving equipment, and staff and members also took part in training in how to use it.
Curves partner Audrey Barnett admitted they had been blown away by the support from the wider community.
“The support we received was just incredible,” she said.
“It’s not just going to benefit ourselves at Curves. It’s also a good thing for the neighbouring businesses and organisations. It will benefit the whole area.
“We had decided to get a defibrillator because nowadays people are more aware of them. We felt it was important that we had one.
“A couple of our members had asked about the possibility of getting one because they had heard about other places getting them.
“The response of our members absolutely blew us away.”
Members rallied round, organising a range of events to help raise the funds required for the defibrillator.
“We decided to organise a month of fundraising called ‘defib December’,” Mrs Barnett said.
“Staff made donations instead of doing a secret Santa, and members did it instead of sending Christmas cards and things like that.
“We also had ‘bring a man to the circuit’ where the ladies brought their significant others along and put them through their paces.
“Our target was £1200 for the defibrillator, and we absolutely smashed it.”
Although Mrs Barnett hopes the defibrillator is never needed, she believes it is vital that people know how to use it if it is required.
“Lucky2BHere came along and did the training with us which was really good,” she added.
“We invited our members to come and take part as well.
“Curves is all about health and wellness so it sits perfectly with our aims to have a defibrillator here.
“It’s something you hope you never have to use but the fact it’s there if you do need it is reassuring.”
