Kegs N Blades, Great Lever, install a defibrillator

Owner of Kegs N Blades Vas Vekaria says he felt that this was a good way to give back to the community.

The charity Minutes Matter facilitated the placement of a defibrillator and cabinet outside the business on Lever Edge Lane, after shop worker Amanda Simmons contacted the founder of the charity, Claire Axon.

Claire set up the charity in memory of her husband, Neil, who died in 2012.

Vas said: “It was on the list of something we needed as a community, but we couldn’t find the right person to do it or the right direction to go in.

• ALSO READ: Mum on a mission to raise awareness around defibrillators after losing husband

“We have been meaning to get it in for a while, but it had to be done properly.”

Vas says that Amanda was able to get in touch with Claire after they saw a box at The Volunteer Pub in Darcy Lever, and they passed her details on.

The defibrillator and cabinet outside Kegs N Blades convenience store on Lever Edge Lane, Bolton (Image: Public)

He added: “We always wanted to do it and this was our way of giving back.

“When we had our shop refitted, it was on our list of things to do.

“It can be hard to find the right machine and know how to use it and know who takes care of it.

“We ordered it last Wednesday and it has been installed within a week.”

Claire Axon

Claire will check that it is working once a month and check that nothing has been damaged.

Claire has previously raised money to provide defibrillators in and around Little Lever and Darcy Lever.

She hopes that her charity will help raise as much money and awareness on the lifesaving equipment as possible.

• ALSO READ: Bolton mum's mission to install defibrillators

Claire said: “I would like to thank Vas for supporting his community in placing this life saving equipment on his premises, and also many thanks to Ian and Nathan from J Maher on Lever Edge Lane who installed the cabinet for us.

“This is the fifth Automated External Defibrillator (AED) that Minutes Matter has helped to place, and we are extremely proud.

“Vas clearly cares about his community, and it has been a pleasure to work with him to place this AED.

“Every single defibrillator that is placed in a community, school, shopping centre or workplace, really does make a difference and does save lives.

“Only when you have lost someone yourself do you fully realise just how important it is to have this equipment close by.

“Waiting times for ambulances can be longer than we would like due to demand, so it is more important now than ever that we all make ourselves aware of where our defibs are, so we can keep our family, friends and community as safe as possible and be able to provide the lifesaving care that can give the best chance of survival.”

Claire says that the way it works is when someone has an emergency that requires a defibrillator in a locked cabinet, people should call 999 to get help.

Claire added: “The operator will give you a code which allows you to open the cabinet and get the defibrillator or they will direct you to the nearest defibrillator in your area.

“This equipment will only work on someone who is in cardiac arrest, and anyone can use this without training, as it talks you through every step.

“This means you can be providing care to a casualty whilst you wait for help from the ambulance service.

“This will give the casualty the best chance of survival.”

With the AED now in place it will provide anyone in the area 24/7 access to this invaluable equipment and will save lives.

This AED is registered on The Circuit which is a database providing ambulances services across the UK with information on where defibrillators can be found.

For more information about gaining skills and how to use a defibrillator email Claire at minutesmatter@hotmail.com.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.