The Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve have seen their wish to have lifesaving equipment available for visitors and the local community realised this week with the installation of a state of the art defibrillator.
Made possible through a successful application to the Community Forum, the grant of £5000 has allowed the Friends group to purchase the equipment, along with a secure cabinet, and work with the Wardens and volunteers to install a new gate and footpath to access the equipment.
The Friends took the opportunity to thank the Council this week for their support, as it is so important to have this resource available, both for visitors to Saltwells and for the local community. The location of the equipment will ensure it is accessible to anyone who needs it whenever an emergency may occur, and the Friends group is enormously grateful to the wardens and volunteers who worked so hard putting down the new path and gate.
A new noticeboard will also be installed shortly to raise awareness about the defibrillator and to provide other information for visitors.
Martin Darby, Treasurer of Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve, said:
“The acquisition of an Automatic External Defibrillator, sited at the Saltwells National Nature Reserve, will give the many adults and children that visit the Nature Reserve access to vital lifesaving equipment. This project is supported by the local community and the many volunteers, who give their time to work at the reserve. The Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve would like to thank all the people involved in the project, ward councillors for their support and for the Community Forum Grant that enabled the project to proceed.”
Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: “The wardens, volunteers and Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve have all worked together to get the defibrillator installed and suitable access in place. I thank them all but particularly the friends group for being the driving force behind this initiative.
“Although we hope the defibrillator is never needed, it does offer reassurance to visitors to the reserve and the nearby community.”
Councillor Ian Bevan, cabinet member responsible for community forums, said: “The forums offer grants of up to £5,000 to voluntary or community organisations which are based in Dudley borough, or benefit people living in the borough.
“This project certainly fulfils that brief and I’m really pleased we were able to support the Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve.”
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