A DEFIBRILLATOR has been installed outside Ross-On-Wye Sports Centre by the Edenstone Foundation.
The potentially life-saving equipment is available around the clock for the community to use in the event of an emergency. Situated outside the centre on Wilton Road, the defibrillator is in a locked cabinet and can be accessed using a code obtained by calling 999.
Paul Flitney, one of the centre’s directors, explained: “The sports centre has recently reopened after being closed for 18 months because of flooding. A defibrillator was one of our remaining priority projects but we didn’t have the funds to source one. We’re grateful to the Edenstone Foundation for providing an external defibrillator as it could make a massive difference in the event of an emergency. It offers peace of mind to all users of the sports club, including our members and independent people who use the facilities at all hours of the day to walk their dogs or take some exercise. It’s a great resource for the community and offers all-round coverage including outside of our opening hours.”
Ross Sports Centre was established in 2011 and is made up of the local cricket club, petanque club, park run and football club.
They took on the building in a dilapidated state and have since run it as a community interest company (CIC).
The Edenstone Foundation funding for the defibrillator follows on the success of St Mary’s Garden Village where Edenstone Homes and Bluebell Home, both part of the Edenstone Group, are building a new community of 290 homes. The Edenstone Foundation receives a proportion of the proceeds from every home sold to support good causes.
Edenstone Group planning director Tim Smale explained: “Following the cardiac arrest suffered by Danish footballer Christian Eriksen during the Euros in the summer from Herefordshire Council, was keen to increase the number of defibrillators in the community and asked if we’d be able to help by providing one for outside Ross-On-Wye Sports Centre. Having access to a defibrillator and first aid skills in the event of an emergency can be crucial an we’re pleased to have been able to provide a potentially life-saving piece of kit, but of course hope that it never has to be used.”
Along with homes, St Mary’s Garden Village will eventually feature a host of facilities including allotments, play area, walking and fitness trails with equipment, and a gym with a community hub. A defibrillator will be installed outside the community hub, providing a further source of emergency aid for the local area.
Show homes at St Mary’s Garden Village are available to view by appointment only. For more information see www.edenstonehomes.com/ross-on-wye or www.bluebellhomes.co.uk/st-marys-garden-village-ross-on-wye.
