Dear Trustees
Please see the attached letter in relation to the very generous donation of £2000 by the Prison Service Charity Fund.
DONATION OF £2000 TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY DEFIBRILLATORS
I am writing on behalf of the Rotary North East ‘One Life Initiative’ and Durham Elvet Rotary to thank you for the very generous donation of £2000 to support our work and that of ‘Lesley Baker’s Washington Defib Team’ to see additional public access defibrillators made available across the region.
I met Antony Ryan, an officer based at HMP Frankland, last year and he recounted his story when he experienced a cardiac arrest whilst swimming off the coast of Sunderland a year ago this month. As Antony commented: “If it had not been for bystanders carrying out CPR and making use of a nearby defibrillator my children would not have a dad”. This succinctly explained the value of having this potentially life- saving equipment available in the event of someone having a cardiac arrest.
Antony has asked that the funds be used to purchase a defibrillator and cabinet in the Washington area and to part fund a second. I will therefore work with him and others to identify suitable locations for a community defibrillator, assist with the purchase of the equipment, see installation, and offer support to the ‘Guardians’ of the devices.
Pending the use of the funds I can confirm that these are being held in the Rotary Club of Durham Elvet Trust Fund and will be effectively and responsibly managed (Charity no: 1113366)
Thank you again for this contribution – and as in Antony’s case, the equipment it will fund could well save someone’s life in the future.
Yours faithfully
Philip Hopps
Durham Elvet Rotary
Rotary North East ‘One Life Initiative’