NINE new defibrillators have been installed around the Bude area thanks to the great efforts of Norman Trebilcock from FLEET (Front Line Emergency Equipment trust) and Alan Odgers from South West Electrical Installations.

Over a busy three-day stay in Bude recently, the men installed the defibrillators in the following locations:

• Poughill Preston Gate

• Stratton Stores

• Hebasca Hotel, Flexbury

• Lansdown Dairy and deli

• The Parkhouse Centre

• Esso Garage

• Marhamchurch telephone box

• Wainhouse Corner Stores

• Morrisons garage.

There is also one installed at Bude and North Cornwall Golf Club, however that is not a FLEET defibrillator.

Public access defibrillators like these are simple and safe to use, and are there to use to help someone suffering a cardiac arrest. The machine gives clear spoken instructions. Once in position, the defibrillator detects the heart’s rhythm — it will not deliver a shock unless one is needed.

In 2013 Ambulance Control had the software installed into its computers where it could see and activate the defibrillator cabinets that had been installed, and while in use an ambulance will be on its way to location.

With the cost of each cabinet at £3,100, FLEET raised a considerable amount of money and was also given donations through various groups in Bude.

Those who donated were the Blanchminster Trust, which donated £9,000 for three defibrillators, one in Poughill, one in Stratton and one in Bude; the Community Responders, Bude Rotary Club, Bude WI, Bude Carnival, Stratton Young Farmers, and Wainhouse Corner Store, which donated in memory of Robert Holmes.

Some of the money raised by FLEET was done so by their London Marathon runners Sue Van Rensberg and her son Wayne, both from Bude, and they will be running again at this year’s marathon in April. To donate or just to keep up to date with their fundraising visit www.justgiving.com/FLEET

Norman is the founder and general manager of the charity and is the key to its successes. He was a full-time paramedic for 34 years before he retired in 2012. He was awarded an MBE in 2008 for his dedication and commitment to raising funds in support of providing the highest standards of patient care through the purchasing of equipment for front line ambulances, so the reception he received in Bude during his three-day stay was fully deserved to say the least.

After returning home, Norman said: “Alan and I have had three lovely days in Bude and met some lovely people. Thank you to those who have given us drinks to keep us warm, and thank you Sue Van Rensburg for putting us up at Tommy Jacks — we have been well looked after.

“They [the defibrillators] are not all live yet because we have to wait for confirmation from the Ambulance Service — once I have had that confirmation I will remove the yellow stickers.”

FLEET is a registered charity that was formed by Cornish Ambulance staff in 1990 with the aim of upgrading and standardising the equipment carried on all of Cornwall’s ambulances.

With generous help from the Cornish people, businesses and organisations, FLEET has raised more than £1,000,000 since 1990, all of which has been put into providing vital equipment that helps save lives across the county.

Since its inception the aim of FLEET has widened and the charity now provides equipment to all the services that give emergency medical support to the public.