Save local lives?
Fundraising for live-saving defribrillators for Kensal Green & Carlton Vale while raising awareness of the importance of CPR for our community
We're so lucky to still have Rob. He survived cardiac arrest, despite there being no defribrillator available. We need your help to make sure we don't rely on similar miracles for you, your neighbours or loved ones.
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Last July, Rob was jogging and had a cardiac arrest. ​Rob had had no heart or major health worries before - doctors later told him his life was saved because he was so fit!
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He was saved by two courageous runner passers-by in Carlton Vale who spotted him, called 999 and were brave enough to start CPR before a doctor, by chance, passed by before an ambulance arrived.
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Jack & Henry, the two absolute heroes, had had no experience of giving CPR before but gave Rob a chance.
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He was without oxygen for around eight minutes. It's a near miracle he survived and also has not experienced wider damage.
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Rob knows that if a defibrillator had been available it would have improved his chances of survival by 70%.
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We want to help Rob's pay back his remarkable good fortune by helping raise awareness of the importance of CPR,how to get basic training which could save others lives, and help fund at least two more defibrillators locally.
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Goal 1 - a defib for Kensal Green at Kensal Rise Library
It's quite shocking that College Green nursery/Kensal Rise station have the ONLY 24/7-available defibrillators in the area?
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The next one can't be found until you reach Willesden Lane (going east). Ladbroke Grove (south) or Harlesden High St (west).
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Others are only sometimes available: Moberly or Willesden Sports Centres, Tesco Express during opening hours, Kensal Green station when open or weekdays at schools.
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London Ambulance Service has identified Kensal Green as a priority area for defibs.
Can you help us raise £1,600 for a defib that will be publicly-available 24/7, attached to the Kensal Rise Library building on the intersection of Bathurst Gardens/College Rd?
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It could give hundreds of local people a 70% better chance of survival in the event of an emergency.
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Goal 2 - a defib for Carlton Vale
There was no defib available to Rob when he had his cardiac arrest.
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The local schools weren't open and the map shows the poor coverage. There is just one 24/7 available, on Woodfield Rd.
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It's not good enough?
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So we want to raise a further £1,600 so we can work with the London Ambulance Service and local stakeholders so they can choose the best location to try save anyone who might be less fortunate than team-mate Rob was in July.​
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Supporting the fundraising & awareness effort
Kensal Rise Library has already played a very active role in raising awareness of CPR with the awareness event organised last October by local lifesaver volunteer and BBC Presenter Rich Preston.
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Rich explained: "I've had the heartbreak of unsuccessfully trying to save a neighbour's life and every second counts in an emergency.
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Chances of survival increase by 70% where a defib is available - we owe it to ourselves, loved ones and neighbours to give us all this chance?"​​
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THREE ways to help....
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1. Donate and/or Fundraise with us:
Donate to the Just Giving campaign with Kensal Rise Library and, if you are a UK tax payer, 25% Gift Aid will be added, at no additional cost to you.
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Join in the fundraising fun by taking part with us at Blenheim Palace Triathlon (or join any sporting event with our team and we'll help you fundraise).
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You/friends are also invited to take part in the Kensal Takeover of Merchant Taylor Lake on Sunday 11th May. For every adult joining the swim or a swim lesson the community-supportive Beyond Health of Queens Park will donate £10 to the campaign!
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2. Help raise Awareness:
Can everyone make themselves aware of where their nearest home and/or landmark defibs are?
You can quickly check this here - and potentially save a life. www.defibfinder.uk
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You can also help spread the word by likes/shares of posts by London Ambulance Service on social media.
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3. CPR Training:
In just 15 mins, including practice with a cushion, you can learn enough skills to potentially help save a life. The British Heart Foundation training is online (see QR Code).
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We’re also working with London Ambulance Service to follow-up last year’s Kensal Rise Library CPR training event with some training again at Kensal Rise Library and potentially at Willesden Sports Centre.
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More info at:
​www.londonambulancecharity.org.uk/appeal/heartstarters
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