Skipton Swimarathon hands £25k to Cardiac Action Group

The funds raised by last month’s annual relay swimming competition will ensure the continuation of the service in full for the next year, providing training, maintenance and resources for the charity.

Since the Swimarathon funded 11 public access defibrillators in 2012 there are now 64 in the Bailiwick, with another five due to be installed.

There have been 15 more locations added to the site map over the past few months and in one week Mike Froome, community resuscitation development officer, trained more than 300 people free of charge.

‘This donation is very, very important in securing us another year of being able to offer this service.

‘We were seriously considering whether my post had a future or not and we can now look to it for another year with a mind to securing further years of donations.

‘A massive, massive thank you must go to the Skipton Swimarathon for this.

‘Since I have been in my post we have doubled the amount of sites on island and there have been five applications – so they are saving lives.

‘I want everyone in a business to know how to do this, not just the first-aiders,’ said Mr Froome.

Nick Guillemette, chairman of the Skipton Swimarathon committee, presented Mr Froome with the funds raised for CAG.

‘Our cheque for £25,000 ensures that CAG can continue providing their lifesaving service to our island community for another year.

‘One of the reasons we chose Moores Hotel to hold today’s presentation ceremony is that Sarnia Hotels Group, along with several other businesses in the Pollet, has sponsored a PAD site, which you will find situated in the doorway of their offices opposite the hotel entrance.

‘Remember, survival rates fall by 10% every minute that passes without defibrillation so early intervention is critical,’ said Mr Guillemette.

Mr Froome added: ‘All staff in Moores Hotel have also been trained in the use of the PAD sites so this is one of the safest hotels to have a cardiac arrest in.’