GUN MURDER DEFIB MACHINE CAMPAIGN
Good Samaritan raises cash for life-saving equipment
A CHILDMINDER who tried to save the life of a man shot dead outside his home has installed a defibrillator in the area after a successful fundraising campaign.
Laura Thomson, 37, gave CPR to Graham “Kermit” Williamson as he lay dying on the street after the incident in August in Blantyre, Lanarkshire.
Laura believes had there been a defibrillator nearby Graham’s chance of survival would have drastically increased.
First aid-trained Laura was determined to have the lifesaving equipment installed in the town and set about raising funds.
She took on a roller-skate marathon covering 26.2 miles which raised more than £1500.
Laura said: “I’m chuffed to bits, every time I pass it it’s a great feeling. I picked that spot as it’s a central point of the Blantyre community. Now it’s just a case of raising awareness that the defibrillator is there.
“I also want to continue the fundraising and get more defibrillators in the area and those that need it.
“It was amazing to see the donations coming in and the big ones from different companies were a great help too.”
Laura skated round Strathclyde Park and James Hamilton Heritage Park in East Kilbride where people were happy to donate money. The campaign was given a boost by local firms giving big donations.
Three men have appeared in court charged with murdering Graham. They made no plea and were remanded in custody.
APRIL
As the pandemic ragedged across lockeddown Scotland, thee country’s chief medical officer was forced to resign for breaking her own rules. Dr Catherine Calderwoodood took her family to her holidayay home in Fife twice while orderingdering the rest of the country to stay home.
Prime Minister Borisris Johnson, who came down withth Covid-19 at the start of the month, was admitted to intensivesive care on April 6. Foreign Secretary ecretary Dominic Raab took over his responsibilities.