New Defibrillator Installed at Cornwall Hospice Shop in St Austell

A new life-saving defibrillator is now available to the public in St Austell, following three years of fundraising led by volunteers and supported by the local community.

Cornwall Hospice has unveiled the device at the corner of its furniture shop on Daniels Lane, working alongside St John Ambulance to bring the equipment to the area. The defibrillator is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Three Years of Fundraising

Margaret Watts, a devoted St John Ambulance volunteer, spearheaded the campaign to raise funds for the device.

Margaret Watts said: “I am so delighted. It’s been a long three years fundraising for this device, and we finally have it in place. I’m overjoyed to see it lit up at night time, so everyone will be able to find it and we’ll save more people.”

When discussing the difference the device will make, Margaret added: “It is crucial to act within eight minutes of someone becoming unresponsive and devices like this regularly make the difference between life and death. I will be offering local training sessions to dispel fears and teach life-saving skills. You can’t hurt someone with an AED, it won’t shock unless necessary, and it talks you through every step of the way.”

The local community raised £3,000 through events including bucket shaking at local gatherings, working in collaboration with Stepping Stones Nursery, Par Carnival Committee and a bingo night. The funds covered the cost of the AED and its installation.

📷L-R Ann McAuley, Tim Jones, Margaret Watts

Community Leaders Attend Unveiling

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Margaret Watts; Tim Jones, Manager for East Cornwall St John Ambulance; Ann McAuley, a St John Ambulance Youth Leader volunteer; Councillor Andrea Lanxon, President of the local St John Ambulance unit; and Councillor Jeremy Preece, who represents Bethel and Holmbush Ward on St Austell Town Council and chairs the community panel. They were welcomed by members of the Cornwall Hospice Income Generation team.

Jeremy Preece said: “I think it’s amazing to see how much good work people are doing in our town. Having a defibrillator in locations not available all day is not enough, the first few minutes are crucial, and the more there are locally, the more lives will be saved.”

📷CH and SJA group with AED device

Gratitude from Cornwall Hospice

Fran May, Operations Manager at Cornwall Hospice, also shared her thanks.

Fran May said: “I just want to offer the world’s biggest thank you. I know a lot of hard work and time has gone into making this happen. We’re so grateful to be able to host this life-saving device.”

Cornwall Hospice and St John Ambulance say they remain committed to improving public safety by ensuring access to life-saving equipment and training within the community.

📷AED