Helen helps install school defibrillators

Student paramedic Helen Harbar and her paramedic mentor Carl Batchelor visited Northill Lower this month to help install an automated external defibrillator.

Helen said: “I have been so amazed by the support and realised how much people clearly want defibrillators in my community.

“I think that this is a great opportunity for local schools and businesses to get access to defibs, that before would have taken them a long time to raise money for.

“This school is especially important to me as my daughter attends this school and to give them a piece of equipment that will save lives is an honour.”

As part of the children’s educational topic on emergency services, Helen took an ambulance along to inform the children about when they should phone 999, what should they do if they see an ambulance and gave them a tour of the inside of the vehicle.

Federation Headteacher Mandy Reddick and Head of School Alison Barton, said: “We are both really grateful to have been donated this wonderful resource which will not only benefit the school but the community as well.”

Another defibrillator is set to be allocated at Northill’s link school Edward Peake Middle School in Biggleswade. And Helen has also secured a third defibrillator for Sutton School.

And she visited all three schools to give all the staff some awareness training including basic life support and the use of the defibrillator and hold Q&A sessions for the parents.

For more information on basic life support training or how to get a defibrillator for your community, visit www.eastamb.nhs.uk or email [email protected]