A public-access defibrillator has been installed in Stone High Street after a community fundraising effort by the friends and family of two men who died after suffering fatal heart attacks.
The Cardiac Science G3 AED machine is located outside the Co-op supermarket and was installed at the end of September. Cash was raised by family and friends of father-of-two Mark Symonds and local GP Barry Farnham to pay for the defibrillator – which was supplied by Stone’s AED Sales – to help other heart attack victims. Using a defibrillator after a sudden cardiac arrest increases the chance of survival by up to 70%.
Mark’s friends Matt Cooke and Natalie Mason, with fundraisers Heather McLeod and Mick Berry, helped to raise £450 for the defibrillator with a party at The Mill restaurant. Stone town councillor Joyce Farnham gave £523 that was made in donations at her husband’s funeral. Other donations were also received from Stone Lions – who were heavily involved in the campaign to get a defib in the High Street – and RMP Care, the company that Mark helped to set up.
Joyce Farnham spoke at the launch of the defibrillator, saying: “My husband would be delighted to see this defibrillator here on Stone High Street. I hope it will never have to be used, but it’s very reassuring to now have it here.”
Natalie Mason said: “It was a surprise to find out there wasn’t a defibrillator in Stone town centre so we wanted do something to raise funds to buy the machine. We are really proud that something positive has come out of very sad circumstances.”
Mark’s brother, Paul Symonds, added: “”I am so glad to see people doing something so worthwhile in Mark’s name. Our dad was the local paediatrician from 1963 to 1981 but you may not be aware he was very hands on with everything, from a major rail crash at Hixon through to doing an emergency tracheotomy with a penknife and Biro, so he would have really admired what has been done. He was a contemporary of Dr Farnham and he and mum knew the Farnhams socially, which makes the joint dedication even more fitting.”
The defibrillator can be accessed using a code given after dialling 999. It them gives automated voice instructions so it can be used safely and quickly.
Victoria Tufail, West Midlands Ambulance Service Community Response Manager, said: “If anyone dials 999 on behalf of a patient who is in cardiac arrest in the area, the caller will be advised of the location of the defibrillator and provided with the code to open the secure cabinet. The ambulance call assessor has the ability to talk any caller, defibrillator trained or not, from instructions on how to use the device as well as CPR techniques. The defibrillator itself also provides voice guidance throughout and a pictorial guide.”
Glyn Ravenscroft from Stone Lions said: “The vast majority of our funds are from contributions made by the Stone public at our various fundraising events, and we have no hesitation in using those funds for the benefit of Stone people. We have been delighted to have been involved in this project since its inception.”
Jamie Richards, Managing Director at AED Sales UK, added: “The chance of survival after Sudden Cardiac Arrest decreases minute by minute, but if someone is shocked with a defibrillator within three minutes, their chance of survival increases by 70%. I would like to thank Mrs Farnham, Natalie Mason and friends, Stone Lions, The Co-operative and TJ Smith Builders for enabling this installation to go ahead.”
There are also AEDs in Wesbridge Park leisure centre, Stone Tennis Club and two at Whitebridge industrial estate. However, this is the first AED in the town which is available 24 hours a day.
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