“It’s wonderful to see village communities coming together to provide these life-saving and vital pieces of equipment”
Two new defibrillators are now available for use in Park Street and How Wood. The official openings both took place on 10 October, with both attended by St Albans MP Daisy Cooper.
The St Albans MP cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the Park Street defibrillator, which is located on the wall outside the Twinsco Local shop on the high street. The defibrillator, which is fully operational and registered with the East of England ambulance service, was funded by local company Café-Academe Ltd.
How Wood now also benefits from a defibrillator, situated outside Bok n Rose butchers on How Wood shops. It was arranged and funded by the Park Street Residents’ Association and county councillor Stella Nash, who was in attendance along with members of the PSRA including chair Joy Mendelsohn, as well as district councillor Nuala Webb.
Twinsco Local owner Raj Kularajah said: “I’m thrilled that this new public defibrillator for Park Street is mounted at Twinsco – defibrillators really can mean the difference between life and death if cardiac arrest strikes, and our Park Street community deserves one.
“I’m glad it’s in such a prominent place outside the shop, but I’ll still be spreading the word to ensure everyone in the community knows that it’s there. Huge thanks to Cafe-Academe for funding the defibrillator and to Daisy for visiting Twinsco to officially cut the ribbon.”
Daisy Cooper MP said: “Sudden cardiac arrest is the one of the nation’s biggest killers, killing more people than cancer, and defibrillators play an incredibly important part in preventing these deaths. Nationally, I’m aware of initiatives being developed to provide more defibrillators at a lower price point, but in the meantime it’s wonderful to see village communities coming together to provide these life-saving and vital pieces of equipment. Well done to all involved.”