Life-saving defib for popular path
Lucy’s fundraiser buys West Highland Way equipment
A busy West Highland Way footpath is to get its own defibrillator thanks to the efforts of a local businesswoman.
Lucy Fraser, who until recently ran a successful guest house at Ben Lomond Cottage in Rowardennan, has raised over £1000 in a week from a crowdfunding appeal.
The cash will help fund a lifesaving defibrillator beside the busy Ben Lomond footpath and West Highland Way in the village.
The funding was largely raised from her previous guests who had stayed with her over the years as they walked the 96-mile West Highland Way between Milngavie and Fort William or climbed Ben Lomond, one of the most popular hill climbs in Scotland.
The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs charity stepped in to provide a top up grant of £750 from funds raised through the Friends of OUR Park visitor giving scheme by local business such as Cruise Loch Lomond and St Mocha Coffee Shop.
They also organised a link with Trossachs Search and Rescue to install and maintain the defibrillator which has now been purchased and sited at Rowardennan.
Lucy said: “This is a very popular visitor destination with a growing number of walking enthusiasts tramping along the West Highland Way or climbing Ben Lomond and I was keen to improve public safety with the provision of a life-saving defibrillator here as the nearest ones are some distance away at Balmaha and Inversnaid.
“I was delighted with the amazing response from my previous guests who reacted so quickly to my online funding appeal and made very generous donations to help with the purchase a defibrillator.
“I was also pleased to receive prompt support from the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs and Trossachs Search and Rescue to make this happen so quickly.”
James Fraser, chair of the Friends said: “I have nothing but praise for Lucy who has taken the initiative to raise funds for a lifesaving defibrillator at such a busy outdoor recreation spot at the foot of Ben Lomond which is remote from the nearest hospital.
“We were pleased to support this initiative and it is great that Trossachs Search and Rescue have agreed to regularly maintain the defibrillator, along with dozens of others, which is helping to make the National Park a safer place for the millions of visitors who annually enjoy the special scenic qualities of the area.”
I was keen to improve public safety with the provision of a lifesaving defibrillator Lucy Fraser