Two Rossendale businesses have co-funded a life-saving defibrillator after their chief technology officer and engineer witnessed a severe heart attack in public and performed CPR in an effort to save a man’s life.
A lifesaving piece of equipment has been introduced to the head office of Matrix247 and Melbec Microbiology in Kingsway, Haslingden.
Provided by St John Ambulance, the new defibrillator has been installed outside the buildings allowing members of the public to gain easy access to the machine in case of an emergency via a 999 call and help someone suffering a cardiac arrest.
The two businesses decided to install the new defibrillator after Matrix247’s CTO, Simon Nolan and engineer, Paul Chester, witnesed a severe heart attack in a public and performed CPR in efforts to save the man.
When the ambulance arriving at the scene, staff shared the significant impact a defibrillator would have in a life-or-death situation, leading Matrix247 to team up with Melbec Microbiology to co-fund a defibrillator in the case of an emergency.
Simon Nolan, CTO of Matrix247, said: “I'd like to thank the St John Ambulance service for the fantastic support they provided throughout, and for trusting us in making the community a better and safer place.
“After seeing first-hand, the impact of CPR vs a defibrillator, I felt it was critical for Matrix247, as an established business in a residential area, to co-fund this piece of life-saving equipment for the local community.”
Dr Nigel Mellors, Managing Director at Melbec Microbiology, was delighted to co-fund this crucial initiative.
He added: “Having been established in Haslingden for 13 years, Melbec Microbiology have always keen to contribute to the wider community where we can.
“We thought that a public access defibrillator would be a welcome addition to our business park and the wider community.
“We are delighted to have worked with our neighbours, Matrix247, on this addition to our estate.”
Members of the Matrix247 and Melbec team have been doing leaflet drops around the area to help spread awareness of the defibrillator and have taken training sessions to better understand how the machine saves lives and the procedure of it being used on an individual.
Both firms aim to continue providing support to the local community which has been recognised by members of the Rossendale Council, including Mayor Cllr Anne Cheetham.
Cllr Cheetham has been campaigning for community defibs in the Rossendale area and said: “I am pleased to see this wonderful investment in a defibrillator at the Matrix247 and Melbec premises.
“Prevention to save a life is one of the best ways that they can assist their employees and the local community, and initiatives like these are a step in the right direction.”
Around 30,000 people suffer cardiac arrest in public places each year and with no defibrillator, the survival rate is only five per cent.
With a defibrillator and the implementation of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the survival rate is as high as 75 per cent.
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