Training in heart-start machine

SPECIALIST training to ensure villagers in Bagowrth can confidently use new life-saving heart-start machines is taking place.

There are 30 places available for the course which will run at Bagworth Community Centre on Saturday May 13.

The session comes as the village prepares to welcome a defibrillator into the centre thanks to the fundraising efforts of resident Maria CrowieMcGrath.

The 35-year-old senior nursery nurse and mumof-two raised almost £3,000 through a series of events to purchase the equipment through St John Ambulance.

St John have now con- firmed the machine and cabinet are available and will be installed shortly at the community centre.

It will be St John volunteers who provide the training.

Maria was inspired to act after witnessing an incident in nearby Thornton last July. While driving through the village she came across a cyclist being given first aid after falling from his bike following a heart attack.

Luckily for the rider, Peter Ward from Ratby, a cardiac nurse had been one of the first on the scene and she administered CPR for 25 minutes before an ambulance arrived.

The experience spurred Maria to raise money for a defibrillator so that anyone who suffers a heart attack in the locality can be given swift and potentially life-saving care while waiting for paramedics.

She said: “This is essential first aid training for all age groups and defibrillator training, free to all who attend. Thanks to everyone for their support. The defibrillator should be on the wall of the community centre very soon.”

The course takes place from 1pm to 4pm at Bagworth Community Centre. Email bookings@bagworthcommunitycentre. org or call 07866 766160 to save a spot.