Community groups and businesses have joined forces to install what could be a life-saving defibrillator machine at the Sports Complex.
Newton Aycliffe Youth Football Club pulled together the joint efforts of the local council and two Aycliffe companies to work on the project.
After a recent First Aid Course for coaches , the “youthy” club were advised they needed an eight-minute window to get a defib machine to an incident or it was likely to be too late.
The club applied for assistance to the British Heart Foundation and purchased the machine.
Great Aycliffe Town Council then provided the labour for the work, while Aycliffe Fabrications manufactured and donated a bespoke stand and Lacegold Electrical installed the required power supply from the changing rooms to the cabinet.
Youthy club secretary Berni Borsberry said: “This is an example of the community working together for the benefit the community.
“The help given from businesses on the town, and the town council, has allowed this defibrillator to be available to everyone.
“We all hope that the machine will never be needed but if it is and it saves a life, the costs will have been worth it.”
The defib machine was originally intended for matchday and training nights, but it was quickly agreed it should be available 24/7 for anyone using the Sports Complex and running track.
The defib machine is inside a secured cabinet which is registered with the ambulance service.
In the case of an emergency, a 999 call will be connected to the ambulance service , the location of the defib cabinet will be advised and a unique code will be given to open the cabinet.
Simple instructions to use the defib are inside, allowing any member of the public to use it.
