A MAN is set to spearhead a campaign to bring defibrillators to a regional market town.
Richmond businessman, Lee Whitworth owns A&E Harmonious Compliance Training Limited with his wife, school teacher Alison.
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He is also a volunteer community responder, so knows first-hand the importance of rapid action in the event of an emergency.
Together, with the support of North Yorkshire County Council, Louise Morton from Neeps and Tatties, and local businesses and residents, Mr Whitworth is looking to raise money for newly formed charity, Heart of Richmond.
The aim of the charity and campaign is to install as many defibrillators as possible across the town and the first unit and its cabinet have been delivered and will be installed shortly.
Mr Whitworth said they are initially aiming to install three units however he “would love to see twenty or more in the not too distant future.”
He added: “The ultimate goal would be to have a unit within half a mile of all Richmond houses, enabling many more lives to be saved in the event of cardiac arrest.
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Having the units available “means that a 999 operator can direct a caller to the nearest box” stressed Mr Whitworth.
Councillor Stuart Parsons of North Yorkhire County Council said:"To see someone dedicating their time to fundraising and changing this is marvellous and our town stands to benefit from this greatly.”
The first unit, which was largely funded by a grant from the council, should be installed within the next few weeks and will be located on Darlington Road to service Whitefields, St Nicholas Road and Ronaldshay.
The project is entirely funded by donations which can be made by businesses and individuals here
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