Firm replaces centre’s stolen defibrillator

ALIFE-SAVING defibrillator stolen from a children’s centre in Runcorn has been replaced for free by a local company.

The defibrillator, a jointfunded community project between the Big Local, Windmill Hill School, Children’s Centre, Nursery, Church and Onward Homes, was stolen from outside Windmill Hill children’s centre at the end of last year.

Although the area was covered by CCTV, the weather on the night it was stolen was extremely poor and no images were able to be used.

However, thanks to the alert put out by Runcorn police, the notification was picked up by the managing director of Concept Hygiene, Andy Cotter, who offered to replace the defibrillator and unit for free.

Mr Cotter said: “After learning of how hard the community had worked to facilitate the defibrillator in the first instance, it is really disheartening that the unit had been stolen.

“Being a local company, we were only too happy to help out a community in need.”

The children’s centre has now upgraded its CCTV cameras to ensure that picture quality is enhanced.

Claire Pentin, the children’s centre principal manager, said: “We are so grateful to Concept Hygiene for the replacement of the defibrillator - such a kind gesture.

“This is a community asset which is accessible 24 hours a day when you contact 999.”

● PCSO Katie Jarvis from Cheshire Police, Claire Pentin, Principal Manager at the Children’s Centre, Paula Newman, Headteacher at Windmill Hill School, Victoria Atkinson, sales and marketing manager at Concept Hygiene, and Margaret Hicks, Nicola Gascoi