The latest publicly-accessible Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in Bath’s city centre is being unveiled at the weekend, in a bid to help save lives.
The equipment has been recently installed on the outside of the Council’s Northgate House offices in Upper Borough Walls, near the Volunteer Rifleman public house.
It will be unveiled by Don Foster, the MP for Bath, at 2.30pm on Saturday 13th September.
It is the fourth such device to be installed in Bath city centre which can be accessed for use by the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week after the access code is given by South West Ambulance.
Defibrillators are life-saving devices used when someone is in cardiac arrest and fighting for their life.
This latest AED has been dedicated to the memory of Dave (Wally) Waldron, a much-loved taxi driver who died of a heart attack in Bath on 19th April 2014.
He had been fund-raising for the defibrillator before he died.
It was made possible by a collection organised in The Volunteer Rifleman’s Arms with donations from British Heart Foundation, Dave (Wally) Waldron and ward councillor initiative funding from Councillor Caroline Roberts and Councillor Douglas Nicol.
The Volunteer collection is continuing so that further AEDs can be installed in and around Bath.
Paul Alvis, landlord of the Volunteer Rifleman’s Arms, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve been able to provide the local community with this life-saving equipment.
“Customers of the Volunteer Rifleman’s Arms have been tireless in their efforts to raise the necessary funds.
“We have dedicated the AED to the memory of Wally Waldron, a widely respected and much-liked local man who made a huge contribution to the fund before his untimely death of a heart attack on 19th April 2014.
“We are already collecting for a second machine which we hope to install in Bath in the next few months. If an AED helps to save just one life in Bath then everyone’s efforts will have been well worthwhile.”
Other public access defibrillators are located at Bath RFC at the club entrance, at St Johns Primary School and near Bath Tennis Club.
Defibrillators with limited access have also been installed in some sports club buildings in Bath.
Another AED is planned to be installed in Larkhall village and more will be set up elsewhere in the city in due course.
Fundraising in Larkhall has already begun with collecting boxes available in many retail businesses in the village.
Members of the Cripple Club of Bath motorcycling club are expected to attend the unveiling ceremony on Saturday.
