THE Freemasons’ conciliation lodge in Holsworthy, in association with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), has donated a lifesaving defibrillator to the community.

The defibrillator will be based at Ruby Oak Park, Holsworthy.

This year will see the 300th year of freemasonry in the UK and as part of the tercentenary celebrations, 300 first aid kits have been placed at locations across Devon, and Holsworthy. However, this is the first time a community access defibrillator has been supplied by the Masons as part of the celebrations, with a second unit due to be placed in Bodmin Street in the near future.

Ruby Oak Park was selected as a location for the tercentenary defibrillator due to the high number of people that attend the swim school, live in the outlying area and the distance from the nearest ambulance station.

Andy Squirrel, a member of the Holsworthy lodge and the BHF applicant, said: “After working for the last 16 years with both the fire and ambulance service I know how important it is to get a unit to a person having a heart attack quickly. By supplying these units, to be placed in the community as part of the 300-year celebrations, it will enable the lifesaving effects to be accessed quickly by anyone that needs them locally.

Laura Morrish, owner of Ruby Oak Park, said: “I was delighted to be asked if we would host a community access defibrillator at the Park. We have a large number of people attend the pool each week and most people know where we are.

“By hosting the defib here it will be available whenever anyone in our local areas needs it. All the staff here have been trained in how to use the defib and we look forward to passing on those skills during the community training sessions we have planned, but hopefully never having to actually use the device.”

All the staff at the venue have already been trained by Holsworthy Masons — who have their own trainer — in the use of the unit and a number of free community sessions will be held at the pool over the coming months, with the first of these on May 5, at 8pm, booking advised.

For more details about Ruby Oak Park contact Laura Morrish on 01409 221580.