Heart-start campaign expands fundraising target

A CAMPAIGN to provide an Angus town with heartstart machines is expanding its reach after smashing its initial fundraising target.

A drive was launched to fund the equipment amid fears Montrose was lagging behind other Angus towns in terms of 24-hour automated external defibrillator (AED) access.

The initiative is being led by a team from the town’s Inner Wheel and Rotary clubs, which has reached its initial £3,000 goal and is now setting its sights on additional locations for the devices.

Susan Coull, of Montrose Inner Wheel, said: “We started our campaign with Crowdfunder Angus in the hope that in reaching our target of £3,000 within 35 days we would raise sufficient funds to purchase one or two AEDs to be sited centrally in Montrose.

“These will provide 24-hour public access should someone suffer a cardiac arrest.

“However, as we have raised our target with Crowdfunder Angus in less than half that time, we have extended our total target amount so we can hopefully not only acquire more AEDs for other selected sites in Montrose, but also for Ferryden, Hillside and Craigo.

“This would give our whole community much faster access to potentially life-saving equipment.”

The website can be found by searching for Crowdfunder Angus Save a Life Montrose.

Donations can also be made directly to Montrose Rotary Club at the George Hotel.

Susan said it was a project to benefit the entire community, adding: “Remember, a cardiac arrest can occur anywhere, any time and at any age.”