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New defibrillator could help save lives in Guildford town centre

11th April 2018

A partnership between Guildford Lions, Guildford Borough Council and Experience Guildford has come together to install a new life-saving defibrillator at the Rodboro Buildings in Guildford, which is owned by Wetherspoons.

Cllr Iseult Roche, Lead Councillor for Project Aspire, Health, Safeguarding and Sport says: “The defibrillator project is extremely important and can truly help save lives. This is jointly funded by Guildford Borough Council, Guildford Lions and Experience Guildford (the business improvement district). The idea for a new defibrillator came from Guildford Lions. As part of their 100th anniversary celebrations, they wanted to install a publicly accessible defibrillator in the town and Wetherspoons was selected as a secure location which is accessible almost 24 hours a day. It’s a great example of partners working together to provide potentially life-saving equipment which could be essential in an emergency. This defibrillator can be used by anyone and does not need any previous knowledge or training. This helps us all to care for our local community in a time of emergency.”

Deric Quaile, President of Guildford Lions adds: “As part of the Lions International Centenary celebrations, Lions Clubs in the South East are supporting the acquisition and installation of at least 100 defibrillators across Kent, Sussex and Surrey. Guildford Lions Club, working with Guildford Borough Council and Experience Guildford have sponsored one such device that has been installed in the Weatherspoon pub in the Rodboro Building in Guildford. This is in fact the 104th defibrillator supported by the Lions in the South East counties, thus surpassing the Centennial target.”

The defibrillator is one of a number publically accessible in the town centre, which could potentially save lives in an emergency. It is fully automatic, which means anyone can use it safely regardless of whether or not they have been trained.

Amanda Masters from Experience Guildford says: “Experience Guildford are very pleased to be involved with this project. Town centre safety is one of the key areas of our business plan, and with our partnership approach to the Purple Flag this can only be a welcome addition to the safety of our evening and night time visitors.”