Three organisations team up to get more life-saving equipment installed in Kenilworth

Three organisations teamed up to help get another defibrillator installed in Kenilworth.

St John's Church in Warwick Road installed an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) outside their church office on Friday March 14

The life-saving equipment for anyone suffering a cardiac arrest is available 24/7 to the public, as well as for the church's own congregation.

The church team joined forces with Kenilworth Heartsafe and Warwickshire Hearts to get the piece of life-saving equipment installed.

St John's Church voted for this project last year, but first needed formal consent from the Coventry Diocese by way of a 'Faculty', which was granted.

A spokesperson from Kenilworth Heartsafe said: "This project is a superb example of local charities working together for the benefit of the wider community.

"Kenilworth HeartSafe managed the project and procured the AED cabinet, batteries and pads; Warwickshire Hearts donated the defibrillator free of charge and St John's Church funded the balance of costs and the on-going annual maintenance."

Keith Grierson, chairman of Kenilworth Heartsafe added: "During the current COVID-19 crisis we all have to think and act positively to keep our community safe from any potential threats."

St John's Church is the C of E Parish Church for the south side of the town, and is also a member 'Churches Together'; an interdenominational organisation under the banner of ‘Love Kenilworth’.

Kenilworth HeartSafe (KHS) was established as a charity last year and a key objective is to achieve town-wide coverage of life-saving AEDs available to the public 24/7.

Warwickshire Hearts provide response to 999 calls when there is not a West Midlands Ambulance Service resource available.

Volunteers are trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service and are activated by the 999 Ambulance Control to these emergencies.

For more information about KHS go to http://kenilworthheartsafe.com/ or for more information about Warwickshire Hearts go to: https://warwickshirehearts.org/