Life-saving equipment donated to schools

Two defibrillators have been installed in the heart of the community in the east of Inverness to help potentially save lives.

The devices have been placed in Muirtown Primary and Charleston Community Complex by the Oliver King Foundation.

Staff and members of community groups using the facilities were also given training in how to use the devices.

Community operations assistant Carol Scott, one of a group of 24 people to receive the training at the community complex, believes the equipment is vital.

“It’s a very important piece of equipment,” she said.

“There weren’t any defibrillators in the area before, apart from in the doctor’s surgery which isn’t open a lot of the time.

“A lot of people use our facilities so the training and equipment is really valuable.

“Twenty-four people got the training during the day, including people from a few of the community groups which use the campus. There was another session in the evening so there are now plenty of people who will be able to use the devices if they need to.

“The defibrillators are really simple to use. It even tells you exactly what to do, so it really is a case of anyone being able to use it. A child could do it.

“It’s something you hope you never have to use, but the fact it’s there if it’s needed is very important.”

The Oliver King Foundation was set up in 2012 in memory of a 12-year-old from Merseyside who died from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome while competing in a swimming race.

The charity provides defibrillators and training to schools and organisations around the country.

The devices are being funded by energy firm Certas.

The company’s terminal supervisor Kerry MacIntosh said: “Oliver’s dad Mark came up earlier this year to install a defibrillator in our office,” she said.

“Myself and my colleague Angela both have children at the schools and are around that same age.

“It really struck a chord with us that it could happen to anyone at any time. That’s why we felt it was so important.”

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