A RECENTLY formed charity is vowing to increase the number of defibrillators across Northallerton.

Restarting Hearts was formed in spring 2018 by a family whose relative had suffered from an unexpected heart attack in 2015.

The charity was set up to improve the availability of defibrillators in the town and surrounding areas.

But since spring, the charity has already managed to raise thousands of pounds for over 20 public defibrillators.

Rod Winter founder of Restarting Hearts said: "We really wanted to get there before it’s too late.

"Most people only think about defibrillators after someone has died.

"People don’t understand how easy they are to use and part of what we’re trying to do is to get the town thinking about defibrillators."

So far the charity has managed to install ten new defibrillators in Northallerton and Brompton.

Defibrillator units cost around £1,000 whilst the specially-adapted and secure cabinets cost £500.

However, significant funding from the community and businesses has been met with a grant of £7,500 from Hambleton District Council.

But, in an effort to help reduce overall costs, Mr Winter has encouraged businesses in the town who own a defibrillator, to have them fitted outside for public use instead.

He said: "For example, Northallerton Town Football Club lock away their defibrillator in the clubhouse and bring it out on match days."

"We have now got a cabinet, and it’s going to go outside the stadium soon."

Chatsworth Windows on Yafforth Road have also got involved and have placed their private defibrillator outside.

Whilst the pub, The Standard on the high street has also had its unit installed next to its entrance.

Mr Winter added: “The defibrillators are registered with the ambulance service.”

The charity said 13 more defibrillators were either on order or awaiting installation, whilst a funding appeal for a further two is underway.

A small supermarket, post office, petrol station and other pubs have been tipped as future defibrillator locations.

Mr Winter said, once enough units had been installed, the charity intends to host free sessions for people to teach people how to use the units.

He added: “It’s about saving lives – the whole point is, if we save one life, one person may say thank you, you’ve saved my life.”