This resulted in an initial "Take A Deep Breath" Community Event given by Neil Marsay from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, followed by First Aid Courses which incorporated Giving Help and Getting Help in a Medical Emergency.  Over 80 villagers were made more aware of how they could make a positive difference in an emergency.

The decision was then taken to instal a Defibrillator Unit in each village with access 24/7/365 stored in a high-visibility weatherproof cabinet which can only be opened by access code which is given out by the emergency services via a 999 call.  Positioned in easily accessible locations with adequate signage and each household in the villages given clearly written Instructions.  

The Community Heartbeat Trust provided literature and lots of help and guidance and in June 2012 Liz and Bill initiated the Defibrillator Appeal to raise the required funds.  Leafleting every household and writing numerous letters to businesses and charities soon resulted in donations being received, initially from villagers and then NYCC, York Lions Club, Parish Council, Rose Trading, Therapy in Praxis, York Round Table, Strensall & District Patients Fund, surplus money from the discontinued crime watch in Claxton & Sand Hutton, the appeal continued and the support that was received was so rewarding.  

All the money donated has been "ring fenced" in our Parish Council Accounts and the sum of £5,203 was raised, although this exceeds the amount required, the balance will remain in this account for any maintenance requirements over the next seven years.

People can still donate towards the ongoing running costs.   Thank you.

The money (£200) kindly given to Liz & Bill for winning the Minster FM "Local Hero Award" "Make a Community Difference Award" was put into the fund which allowed them to go ahead and make the purchase.

The Defibrillators purchased were the fully automatic type taking the fear and risk element out of using the equipment in an emergency situation. Once in use by opening the lid on the Defibrillator it gives you audible and visual instructions (for the hard of hearing) taking you through the process of what to do as you are waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

On March 20th, two defibrillators were delivered, a 2 hour training session was given by Martin Fagan from the Community Heartbeat Trust, and 32 people attended in the village hall.

Choosing where the defibrillators were to be positioned was carefully thought about as they needed to be easily accessed and to have a power supply which keeps the cabinets warm in cold weather, the defibrillators themselves do not need recharging as they have a 5 to 7 year life.

Sand Hutton, positioned on John & Caroline Goodrick's wall at Whey Carr Farm, next to the telephone box.
Claxton, positioned on the garage wall outside Bill & Liz Heath's property at Lawnswood.
 

Sand Hutton: positioned on

John & Caroline Goodrick's wall at

Whey Carr Farm, next to the telephone box.

Claxton: positioned on the garage wall

outside Bill & Liz Heath's

property at Lawnswood. 

The units are now installed and an "Unveiling Ceremony" took place on April 22nd at Lawnswood, Claxton, by Clare Wood, County Councillor, at Lawnswood, Claxton, all donators and villagers were invited and had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the locations.

An instructional leaflet will be sent out to every house in the two villages along with outlying houses and businesses.

We are pleased to have been able to raise the money and organise the purchase, training and positioning of these two life saving pieces of equipment in our two villages.