Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, welcomed the arrival of the first defibrillator to Great Wryley recently.
Ron Myatt commented: "In Great Wyrley, we have a strong voluntary community with a number of us being members of various groups. We knew of defibrillators and could not recall where, if any, were installed to support the Great Wyrley community. We knew of other local efforts such as that being led by Darren Ennis in Burntwood and a number of near-fatal incidents that had happened and bought to our attention."
As a result, four members of the community decided to see what could be done. With strong partnering support from Paul Dadge of Community First Responders, efforts started to get funding and establish an identity that the community could identify with. The WD’s (Wyrley Defibrillators) was set up.
Peter Holmes, Treasurer of the WD’s commented: “The community response was amazing. It means we can now move tentatively forward on a program of installations in the village and, possibly, nearby establishment(s). We have had fund-raising events and individuals have given us money from their private events such as silver and golden wedding celebrations. At the same time, groups such as Landywood District Voluntary Help Centre, Great Wyrley Local History Society, the Walk for Health group and Harrisons crib team have raised contributions from their members for us. All we can say is a massive thank you to everyone. This includes Aggreko, a major local employer, for their exceptional support and encouragement.”
Dot Burton, Secretary of the WD’s added: “We are working with Moat Hall School to see if a defibrillator can be installed there and we hope to have a reasonable geographic spread through the village, if possible. Naturally, this depends on our funding capability so our fund-raising efforts will continue and we are keeping our fingers crossed."
Alan Kelsey, a key WD supporter stated: "We have a very successful Carnival each year enjoyed by thousands. This year, we started the WD fund-raising efforts there. The response was magnificent. It would be brilliant if, at next year’s carnival, we could share with everyone what their support has enabled us to achieve.”
Gavin commented: “I am so pleased that the Parish Council has given its support to this first installation at the Community Centre. I commend all those involved in the programme to provide this life saving equipment in Great Wyrley and I hope I can be invited to a WD’s celebration where their ambitious goals are seen to have been achieved.”
“I very much enjoyed meeting the team and hearing about the absolutely fantastic work that they have been doing in fundraising for the very first defibrillator in Great Wyrley. The work that they are doing in getting the community involved in the importance of having a defibrillator in the village is extremely important.
“By making AED’s more accessible to communities, especially rural communities like we have here in South Staffordshire, we can save lives. The figures show that there is a huge difference in life chances when getting to a patient quickly who has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and could make a real difference between life and death.”