Lifesaving device installed in Avonbridge

Avonbridge and Standburn Community Council has successfully installed a defibrillator outside the Avonbridge health centre on Main Street.

A grant of £1,300 from the EDF Burnhead Moss Wind Farm Community Fund for Avonbridge & Standburn paid for purchase from St John's Ambulance, and installation by a local electrician. Through St John's Ambulance Scotland's Defibrillator Scheme, the Community Council was able to achieve a discounted price, with the reassurance that maintenance and training in its use would also be provided.

With growing numbers of visitors and participants in events such as the annual Pedal for Scotland in addition to the village's 650 residents, lives could be saved in an emergency situation thanks to the new equipment.  It has been warmly welcomed by local residents; "This is brilliant, let's hope it isn't needed, but good to know it's there" being typical of comments received.

A spokesperson for Avonbridge and Standburn Community Council highlighted how vital the defibrillator could be:

"As a community council feel that it was important for us to have this facility in our village, as there have been a couple of previous incidents which highlighted the need for it.  Our village community are very pleased to have this in our midst."

The EDF Burnhead Moss Wind Farm Community Fund was launched in 2016 to support charitable activity benefiting people living in the community council areas of Avonbridge & Standburn and Limerigg & Slamannan in Falkirk plus people living in Blackridge, West Lothian.  EDF Renewables provides community benefit funding annually for the lifetime of the wind farm, estimated to be 25 years.  The fund has supported a wide range of other projects in Avonbridge and Standburn, with many more anticipated in future.  

For more information on how to apply, go to the fund page.  To see the range of projects already funded visit the projects funded page.