THE new head of Rotary in the North-East is planning a year of preventing heart attack deaths.
Barbara Broadbelt, who has dedicated her life to lifesaving, has taken over as the new District Governor of Rotary North East.
Barbara, a founder member of Durham Elvet Rotary, is campaigning for all 54 Rotary clubs in the region to raise money to buy a defibrillator.
She said: “Even if we saved one life, it would make the year really special.”
As a teenager, Barbara started volunteering for the Royal Lifesaving Society, helping her mother and father to set up the first beach lifeguard club on Seaton Carew beach.
She went on to become a swimming teacher, before training other swimming teachers, and then working for the Royal Lifesaving Society to establish a first responders network. She is still going round the world, training lifeguards at swimming pools and on beaches.
Her husband, Mel, a member of Sedgefield Rotary, was District Governor in 2002 – making them the first husband and wife couple to hold the prestigious post.
Full story – see Peter Barron’s column.
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