Finally, the long-awaited defibrillator for Ford has been purchased and is in position. It hasn’t been an easy task, firstly trying to get funds, finding a suitable machine and siting it.

The government has been offering grants for defibrillators but sadly these all need an electricity supply and that has proved too expensive for Grindon Parish Council to finance.(The electricity is only to offer a trickle charge for a heater and not needed to actually power a defibrillator, they all run on batteries)

The telephone box where the defibrillator is now sited is actually owned by Onecote Parish Council but they have kindly agreed for Grindon to use this. The machine now in position is one recommended for use in cold weather, so it will definitely have been tested by the weather recently!

Funding has come from Grindon Parish Council in the main with a very generous donation from the Leadenboot  group and hopefully the Grindon Action Group fund, who have pledged some funds.

There is a training session for everyone to attend in Grindon Village Hall on Tuesday 18th February 2025 at 7pm. This will run through everything you need to know about using a defibrillator machine, what to expect to be asked when you dial 999, how to perform CPR and other useful tips.