Working in partnership with EMAS, the Cleethorpes Chronicle has raised enough money to place life-saving equipment in a busy shopping area after a reporter suffered a cardiac arrest.
Reporter Vince McDonagh recently suffered a cardiac arrest while at work. His colleagues’ quick actions in using a defibrillator and calling 999 gave Vince the best chance of surviving. Minutes after the 999 call Lee Hastie, Paramedic at Grimsby station, was also on scene followed by ambulance crew Mally Ross and Jamie Huntington.
The importance of the defibrillator in saving Vince’s life prompted the owner of the Cleethorpes Chronicle, Nigel Lowther, to contact EMAS about getting more installed in the seaside resort.
With the support of local businesses and the community, the campaign has now exceeded expectations and provided enough money to now place four defibrillators in the area.
Steve Pratten, Community Response Manager, said: “I am delighted at the progress that the campaign has achieved, which is thanks to the amazing efforts of local businesses and residents of Cleethorpes, spearheaded by the team at Cleethorpes Chronicle in partnership with East Midlands Ambulance Service. The funds raised so far have exceeded our expectations; meaning we are able to place even more community public access defibrillators around the Cleethorpes area. Our vision is to make the area the first Heart Safe resort in the UK; so tourists, visitors and residents are never more than a few minutes away from a public defibrillator.”
Once the defibrillators have been placed, free training sessions will be held for members of the public to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator.
When Vince has made a full recovery we will be reuniting him with the staff that saved his life #PrideinEMAS.